Putin and Assad discuss Syria’s reconstruction and regional issues

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin on Wednesday, discussing efforts to rebuild Syria after a devastating civil war and stability in the Middle East. Welcoming Assad ahead of the start of talks, Putin stressed the “decisive contribution” of the Russian military to stabilizing Syria. The talks between the two leaders took place at a time when the civil war in Syria has completed 12 years.

Russia launched a military operation in Syria in September 2015, along with Iran, with the aim of supporting the Assad government in its fight against armed rebel groups to recapture much of the country’s territory. Russia has currently focused a large part of its military resources on Ukraine. Nevertheless, it has maintained its military presence in Syria and has stationed warplanes and troops at its bases there.

Assad thanked Putin for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nesiriya. He also noted that Russia’s support for Syria remains intact despite the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. “Russia is still conducting special operations, but still there is no change in its position,” Assad said. Russia has been describing its ongoing action in Ukraine as a special military operation.

The two leaders held two rounds of talks, which lasted for over three hours. The first round of talks was attended by senior officials of both the countries while the second round of talks took place between the two leaders over lunch. The Russian and Syrian defense ministers met separately to discuss military cooperation. Nearly half a million people have been killed and nearly half the population displaced in Syria in the past 12 years since the uprising turned into a civil war.

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