Russia 'could drop' support for Assad if he reneges from surrendering chemical weapons

Sydney, Sept. 22 (ANI): A senior Russian official has said the government could drop its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad if he breaks down his promise of surrendering chemical weapons.

Sergei Ivanov, President Vladimir Putin's chief of staff, said that Russia's position 'could change' if it was 'certain that Assad is cheating' on giving up chemical weapons.

According to news.com.au, Ivanov emphasised that he was speaking 'theoretically and hypothetically'.

Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Putin said he was confident that Assad's government would be quick in taing back its support for the Assad regime, the report added. (ANI)