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Moscow has been a staunch supporter of Assad throughout the crisis. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said it is impossible to defeat ISIL without co-operating with Damascus. He has urged other nations to follow Russia’s example and offer military support to Assad’s government.

In recent days, Moscow has sent about a half-dozen battle tanks and other weaponry — along with military advisers, technicians, security guards and portable housing units — to Syria with the apparent goal of setting up an air base near the coastal town of Latakia, an Assad stronghold.

U.S. officials have said Moscow is simply trying to prop up Assad and have rejected his participation in the global war on ISIL, also known as ISIS.

If you are worried about them (refugees), stop supporting terrorists

“Nothing’s changed about the fact that we don’t want to see the Assad regime getting any support,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said. “There can’t be a role (for) the Assad regime in efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria, much less go against ISIL.”

In the interview, Assad did not directly address the Russian moves, only praising Moscow as an “independent state” and an “impartial” broker of dialogue between Syrian groups.

He urged the formation of a united front against ISIL, saying the priority of every single Syrian citizen is to be secure.

“We, the political parties, the government and the armed groups that fought against the government, we must all unite in the name of defeating terrorism,” Assad said. He added he would only give up power if the people ask him to do so, not the United States.