Putin accepts 'changes' in Syria
Tough-talking president makes strongest comment yet he is ready to forsake Assad
Russian President Vladimir Putin distanced himself further than ever before from his long-time ally in Syria yesterday, saying he understands Syria needs change.
Putin's assessment came just a week after his top envoy for Syria said forces loyal to the country's leader, Bashar al-Assad, were losing control.
"We are not preoccupied that much with the fate of the Assad regime; we realise what's going on there and that the family has been in power for 40 years," Putin said.
"Undoubtedly, there is a call for changes."
Analysts have suggested for months that the Kremlin is resigned to losing its long-time ally.
At his annual news conference, which lasted four hours, Putin said Moscow stood for a settlement that would "prevent the country from breakup and an endless civil war". "Agreements based on a military victory can't be effective," he said.
A combative Putin also backed a tough bill making it illegal for Americans to adopt Russian children in a reprisal for a new US human rights law.
