Russian media incorrectly translated a statement by French President Francois Hollande about Syria.

Website Screenshot Sputnik
Website Screenshot Sputnik

His actual comment, translated, was: “In Syria, we’re diligently looking for the political solution to the problem, from which Bashar Assad can’t be the issue. But our enemy in Syria is ISIL.”

Website Screenshot RIA Novovsti
Website Screenshot RIA Novovsti

But RIA Novovsti translated it as: “In Syria, we’re looking for the political solution to the problem, which is not Bashar Assad. Our enemy in Syria is ISIL.”

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The distorted translation also appeared on the English-language Sputnik website, Vzgliad, and Armenian News.

Website Screenshot Vzgliad
Website Screenshot Vzgliad
Website Screenshot Armenian News
Website Screenshot Armenian News