Analyst : Syrian president ` ` has nothing to lose , and he has something to gain '' Russia was likely a key factor in the response to Annan 's proposal , analysts say . Russian officials likely encouraged Syria to sign on to the police plan . ( CNN ) -- Russia 's proposal does not require President al - Assad to leave Syria .
Analyst : Syrian president ` ` has nothing to lose , and he has something to gain '' Russia was likely a key factor in the response to Annan 's proposal , analysts say . Russian officials likely encouraged Syria to sign on to the police plan . Russia 's proposal does not require President al - Assad to leave Syria .