In an interview with Russian broadcaster Channel One on Sunday, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said that the West no longer has statesmen worthy of dialogue, and that the current leaders in charge are running governments in the likes of running businesses.

"Modern politicians do not think strategically. They solve problems in front of them and they no longer keep their word. Any agreement can be broken the next day … I can say that there is not a single politician in the West whom I would want to talk to," Al-Assad said.

Since the times of UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher or US President Ronald Reagan, the West has not produced a single "statesman" worthy of consideration, he said.

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Due to the influence of capitalism, "countries have turned into corporations and leaders into corporate managers," President Al-Assad added.

Assad leveled accusations specifically at the United States, that it profits from other countries and transforms every conflict into a "dangerous chronic disease."

"America makes money off any conflict and then steps aside and watches the chaos unfold and waits to deal the final blow," he mentioned 

Since 2011, Syria has been ravaged by a civil war which was spearheaded by Western countries, including the US. The country is currently divided between pro-government and anti-government factions. The US currently has troops stationed in the anti-government-controlled parts of Syria, which are also rich in oil resources. According to UN figures, more than half of the country grapples with food insecurity, while millions continue to be displaced due to the ongoing turmoil. 

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