Moscow says Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held talks on the situation in Syria in Russia's capital.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that during the meeting the Syrian president informed the Russian leader about the plans of government forces in the fight against militants in the Middle Eastern country.
“Yesterday evening Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in Moscow for a working visit,” Peskov said.
He went on to say that the two presidents had a lengthy discussion, part of which was conducted in the presence of Russia’s top policymakers. “The agenda of the negotiations is clearly understandable,” the Kremlin spokesman said.
During the negotiation, Putin told Assad that Russia is ready to contribute not only to fight against terrorism but also to find a political solution to the crisis in the Arab country.
Putin further noted that at least 4,000 citizens from the former Soviet Union are fighting along with militants in Syria, adding, “We can’t let them appear in Russia.”
Assad reportedly said that all Syrian people want to participate in deciding the future of the country.
He also appreciated the Russian support for eradicating "terrorists" in Syria.
Russia began its military campaign against militants in Syria on September 30 upon a request from the Damascus government, shortly after the upper house of the Russian parliament gave President Vladimir Putin the mandate to use military force in Syria.
Syria has been gripped by militancy since March 2011. The crisis has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people so far and displaced millions.
This article has been modified from the source material.
