Syrian President Bashar Assad said that Western countries want Ukraine and Syria to turn into puppet states in order to weaken Russia .He said that the West used the same tactics in countries that are or were until recently the state of war , and that Syria is ready to grant Russia the formation of a military base on its territory ." There is a connection between the crisis in Syria and what is happening in Ukraine . Both countries are important for Russia , and the aim of provoking a crisis is to weaken Russia and to create a puppet state . They want to make us puppets , the West does not want a political solution to the crisis . When I say the West I think of the United States , France and Great Britain . Other states are secondary participants , "said Asad .According to him , the government in Syria is prepared to allow to Russia use port of Tartous .Syrian leader believes that any international peacekeeping mission in Syria would mean the recognition of the Islamic state" We welcome the increasing Russian presence in the eastern Mediterranean , particularly close to our shores and in our ports . This will lead to a balance in the region . Whenever Moscow had a greater influence in the region, it was stable , "said Asad .