Kremlin Denies Putin is Defending Assad's Participation in Syrian Elections

Several western media outlets have circulated information that Putin tried to convince U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during a recent meeting at the Kremlin, of Assad's participation in future Syrian elections, as well as speculating on his victory if he is allowed to take part in the electoral campaign.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday "No, this is untrue."

Peskov explained that Syria's future cannot be decided except by the Syrian people.

After bringing positions close last November in Vienna in a meeting attended by the foreign ministers of 20 states, negotiations for a political transition in Syria froze again, despite the determination expressed by Russia and the United States to hold talks.