But he also laid down an ultimatum for Russia, saying that Moscow must think about whether to remain an ally with the Assad regime, the Iranians and Hezbollah. “Is that a long term alliance that serves Russia’s interests? Or would Russia prefer to realign with the United States, with other Western countries and Middle East countries that are seeking to resolve the Syrian crisis?”

He also said that Russian-brokered talks in Astana had “not produced much progress,” adding that he had hope that a process underway in Geneva over Syria’s political future would be fruitful.

“And our hope is Bashar al-Assad will not be part of that future,” he said, without explicitly calling for Assad’s removal.

“In terms of the future of Bashar al-Assad, it is important to us that we undertake a political process that leads to the final conclusion of how Syria will be governed. It is our policy for a unified Syria that is governed by the people of Syria. I think it is clear to all of us that the reign of the Assad family is coming to an end,” he said.

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