Speaking in Baghdad after talks with his Iraqi opposite number, Lavrov said: "If it was really said, it was not true. Such discussions are not taking place and could not take place, because this would totally contradict our position."

The statement came after U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Thursday that talks between Russia and the U.S. on Assad's exit from power were possible. Similar claims were made on Friday by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to France Inter.

"The Russians do not support Bashar al-Assad, they are coming to the conclusion he is a tyrant and a killer. But for them it is important who will take his (Assad's) position, in the event he loses power. Discusssions are underway about this," Fabius said.