Anti-terrorist operations in Syria near completion - Putin
Xinhua | Updated: 2017-11-21 17:24
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin told his visiting Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad Monday that joint military operations against terrorists in Syria are coming to an end, with the focus shifting to a political process, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
"I think that now the most important thing, of course, is to turn to a political process," Putin told Assad in a surprising meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi, according to a Kremlin transcript of the meeting.
They met to coordinate positions ahead of a summit of Russian, Iranian and Turkish presidents on Wednesday in Sochi to discuss preparations for a Syrian National Dialogue Congress.
The Congress is expected to bring together opposition and pro-government forces, as well as representatives of all Syrian ethnic and religious groups to work for the peace process in the country.
"I think that now the most important thing, of course, is to turn to a political process," Putin told Assad in a surprising meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi, according to a Kremlin transcript of the meeting.
They met to coordinate positions ahead of a summit of Russian, Iranian and Turkish presidents on Wednesday in Sochi to discuss preparations for a Syrian National Dialogue Congress.
The Congress is expected to bring together opposition and pro-government forces, as well as representatives of all Syrian ethnic and religious groups to work for the peace process in the country.
