In brief
In response to Turkish media claims that Asma al-Assad is seeking a divorce and wishes to leave Russia, the Kremlin has issued a denial, asserting that the reports do not reflect reality. During a news conference, Peskov also refuted assertions that Bashar al-Assad's assets were frozen and that he was under confinement in Moscow. The situation is further complicated by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's statements, confirming that Asma al-Assad is banned from returning to the UK due to sanctions. Asma, born in the UK to Syrian parents and having served as Syria's first lady for over two decades, has faced mixed perceptions internationally since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Recent health struggles have also emerged, including a leukemia diagnosis announced by Assad's office earlier this year.
