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‘Fight against terrorism in Syria nearing an end’: Putin & Assad meet, discuss political settlement Warm embrace: Assad in surprise Putin meeting ahead of Moscow’s talks with Turkey, Iran
(about 2 hours later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad in Sochi where they discussed the political process in Syria. The Russian leader said that the fight against terrorism in the crisis-stricken country is close to completion. Syria's Bashar Assad made a surprise visit to Russia to express thanks for Moscow’s help in the fight against terrorism. At a meeting with President Putin, which began with an embrace, the leaders discussed the Syrian political settlement ahead of Moscow's talks with Iran and Turkey.
The visit by President Assad to the Black Sea resort of Sochi was not revealed until Tuesday, after he had already left Russia. Footage and photos released by the Kremlin after the event show the Syrian leader, dressed in a dark grey suit and light grey tie, embracing Vladimir Putin and shaking his hand on the porch of a presidential residence in the southern Russian city. The two leaders then moved inside for a photo op and formal greeting speeches, before a nearly three-hour round of talks behind closed doors. Afterwards, Putin took his Syrian guest to meet Russian generals who were in Sochi to take part in defense-related government talks.
Putin congratulated Assad on the results in the fight against terrorism at a meeting on November 20 in Sochi, where the Syrian president became acquainted with the heads of the Russian military. “I’d like to introduce you to the people who played a key part in saving Syria,” Putin told Assad as he introduced the men in green uniforms. “Of course, Mr. Assad knows some of you personally. He told me during our talks today that thanks to the Russian Army, Syria has been saved as a state.”
The Russian leader discussed the political settlement in Syria with Bashar Assad, saying that he believes it should be under the aegis of the UN, adding that he hopes the international body will take an active part in the process and its final stage. Assad used the opportunity to relay the gratitude of his government and the Syrian people to those involved in the two-year operation in the war-torn nation. “I would like to underline the effort made by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the sacrifices they have made,” he said.
Assad said that Damascus is interested in the progress of the political solution to the crisis and that the current situation is optimistic in that respect.
In 2015, Russia sent its warplanes to help Damascus fight against extremist Islamist forces trying to overthrow the government. The operation prevented a collapse of the secular Syrian state, and paved the way for a political dialogue with opposition groups who see a future for Syria not based on extremist ideology.
The joint Russian-Syrian military operation took place in parallel with diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire in large parts of Syria and facilitate direct negotiations between the government and moderate opposition. Turkey and Iran played a crucial role in negotiating the so-called “de-escalation zones” and are actively involved in furthering a political transition in Syria.
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He added that he hoped for Russia’s help in ensuring that the Syrians themselves lead the process, with help from the outside, but not “interference.” “We welcome those who are really interested in a political settlement [in Syria], we are ready to have dialogue with them,” Assad said. The Monday visit by Assad comes two days ahead of a meeting between Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Sochi. The meeting with Assad was intended to ensure that “whatever decisions would be reached [with Erdogan and Rouhani] are viable,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Tuesday.
Since the start of the Russian operation in Syria in 2015, many areas in the country have been liberated from terrorists, Assad stated. Syrians who had to leave these areas due to the terrorist threat have been able to return home. Also on Monday, Syrian opposition figure Riyad Hijab announced his resignation as chair of the Saudi-backed umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC). Several other members also left, in a move welcomed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday.
Vladimir Putin said that the talks held repeatedly in the Kazakh capital, Astana contributed greatly to the settlement of the conflict. “Due to the Astana talks, we managed to create de-escalation zones, and this, in turn, allowed us to start a real dialogue with the opposition for the first time.” “The retreat of radically minded opposition figures from playing the main role will make it possible to unite this motley opposition – internal and external – on a more reasonable, realistic and constructive platform,” Lavrov told journalists.
According to the Russian president, “the problem of terrorism is a global one.” He added that “complete victory over terrorism is still very far away. But as far as our joint fight against terrorists in Syria is concerned, this military operation is really coming to an end.”
Putin said he will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Sochi on Wednesday to discuss the Syrian crisis. Apart from these countries, Russia is working with Iraq, the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan on settling the crisis, he stated. Putin added that on Tuesday he will hold a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on the topic of Syria.
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Assad’s visit to Russia and his talks with the Russian president lasted four hours, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Tuesday, RIA Novosti reports.
Russia launched its counter-terrorism operation in Syria at the request of Damascus in September 2015. The Russian Air Force has been assisting the Syrian Army in its fight against the terrorists for about two years. The resignations came as the committee was gathering for a meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday. The HNC is expected to select a delegation for the upcoming round of UN-sponsored Syria peace talks in Geneva next week.
In March 2016, Putin ordered a partial withdrawal and said that the primary objective of the operation had been achieved. The remaining aircraft, however, continue to assist the Syrian Army in its fight against extremists. In November, the Russian Defense Ministry said Islamic State-controlled areas in Syria had shrunk to less than five percent of the country.