Al-Assad Meets Putin in Moscow

Local Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have held talks in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He added that al-Assad informed the Russian leader about the situation in Syria and the plans of government forces.

"Naturally, the talks focused on fighting terrorist extremist groups, carrying on with the Russian operation, and support for the Syrian army's offensive," Peskov said.

He further added that the presidents also discussed "various aspects of bilateral relations."

"The terrorists' attempts to destabilize the situation in the Middle East arouse deep concern in Russia because "unfortunately, people from the former Soviet republics, at least 4,000 of them, are fighting against the Syrian army," the Russian leader said. "Naturally, we cannot allow them to appear on Russian territory with all the combat experience and ideological brainwashing they have gone through."

"Syria is a country friendly to Russia, and Moscow is ready not only to assist with fighting terrorism, but also in reaching a peaceful political settlement to the Syrian conflict in cooperation with other global and regional powers," Putin said.

In parallel, he told al-Assad: "Thank you, that, despite the dramatic situation in the country, responded to the request and come to our country. We provide effective assistance."

He insisted that it is necessary to strike at the terrorists, otherwise it is impossible to start the process of political settlement.

"And, of course, the entire Syrian people wants to participate in the political settlement, not just executives do," he assured.