Assad in Russia: He thanks Putin, ready for national dialogue
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Syrian President Bashar Assad is in Sochi where he has thanked his Russian counterpart for his assistance in the war effort, describing Russia’s involvement as having helped regain all territories lost to rebel groups and preparing the ground for a possible political settlement.
“I would like to take this opportunity to convey to you, Mr. President, the congratulations and gratitude of the Syrian people for the fact that we managed to uphold the territorial integrity of the country and the independence of our country,” Assad told Russian President Vladimir Putin as published on the Kremlin website.
“This same gratitude applies to those structures of the Russian state, which provided us with assistance. First of all, of course, this applies to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, which has been with us throughout this time.”
Assad, who is in Russia a day ahead of planned talks in Sochi for the second time in two years, personally thanked Putin for always being “with us”.
Assad’s visit to Russia had remained secret until it was announced Tuesday morning, a day after he had actually landed in the Russian resort city.
Putin, who is also expecting the Turkish and Iranian presidents in Sochi, has told Assad that he is glad that Syria is “gradually approaching the end of a terrible process.”
Putin told the Syrian president that Moscow was working with “Iraq, the United States of America, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. And we are in constant contact with these partners.”
He added that all settlements “should ultimately be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations. And in the course of the process, we are counting on the active participation of the UN, and at the final stage.”
Assad said he agrees that following recent military gains on the ground his government was ready for “national dialogue.”
“And now we have a great opportunity to discuss both the forthcoming Congress and the forthcoming summit, and also coordinate our positions on further steps,” Assad was quoted by Kremlin.
He went on to say that he is willing to talk to anyone who wants a political solution.
For his part, Putin who has been the staunchest ally of the Syrian regime since the start of the war in 2011 and deployed troops at a great financial cost said that military operations are over.
“I think the problem of terrorism is global,” Putin told Assad. “Complete victory over terrorism, of course, is still very far away. But as for our joint work to fight terrorists in Syria, this military operation is really coming to an end.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to convey to you, Mr. President, the congratulations and gratitude of the Syrian people for the fact that we managed to uphold the territorial integrity of the country and the independence of our country,” Assad told Russian President Vladimir Putin as published on the Kremlin website.
“This same gratitude applies to those structures of the Russian state, which provided us with assistance. First of all, of course, this applies to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, which has been with us throughout this time.”
Assad, who is in Russia a day ahead of planned talks in Sochi for the second time in two years, personally thanked Putin for always being “with us”.
Assad’s visit to Russia had remained secret until it was announced Tuesday morning, a day after he had actually landed in the Russian resort city.
Putin, who is also expecting the Turkish and Iranian presidents in Sochi, has told Assad that he is glad that Syria is “gradually approaching the end of a terrible process.”
Putin told the Syrian president that Moscow was working with “Iraq, the United States of America, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. And we are in constant contact with these partners.”
He added that all settlements “should ultimately be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations. And in the course of the process, we are counting on the active participation of the UN, and at the final stage.”
Assad said he agrees that following recent military gains on the ground his government was ready for “national dialogue.”
“And now we have a great opportunity to discuss both the forthcoming Congress and the forthcoming summit, and also coordinate our positions on further steps,” Assad was quoted by Kremlin.
He went on to say that he is willing to talk to anyone who wants a political solution.
For his part, Putin who has been the staunchest ally of the Syrian regime since the start of the war in 2011 and deployed troops at a great financial cost said that military operations are over.
“I think the problem of terrorism is global,” Putin told Assad. “Complete victory over terrorism, of course, is still very far away. But as for our joint work to fight terrorists in Syria, this military operation is really coming to an end.”