Vladimir Putin visited Damascus and held talks with Bashar al-Assad
The press service of the President of Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Damascus and held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said the press-Secretary of Russian leader Dmitry Peskov. The heads of the countries met in the command post of the troops of the Russian Armed forces.
“The two heads of state heard the reports about the military situation in various regions of the country,” said Peskov, quoted by TASS. Bashar al-Assad thanked Vladimir Putin for his visit and expressed his gratitude for Russia’s assistance in the fight against terrorism and in restoring peace in Syria.
On the way from the airport to the command post of the troops of the Russian Armed forces, the President rode through the streets of the Syrian capital. “Putin said that on the streets of Damascus to the naked eye, you may notice signs of recovering a peaceful life,” – said Peskov. According to him, in the course of communication with Assad, Putin noted that now it is safe to state that a great distance has been passed in the restoration of Syrian statehood and territorial integrity of the country.
January 8, Vladimir Putin will visit Istanbul on a working visit and will participate in the launching ceremony of the “Turkish stream”. After that should be held negotiations of Vladimir Putin with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The leaders will discuss continued cooperation between the two countries and international issues, particularly the situation in Syria and Libya.