Why is Vladimir Putin congratulating Bashar al-Assad

World News Nilgun Salim
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Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on Monday evening in Sochi.

The official meeting took place two days before the tripartite Russia-Iran-Turkey summit set to take place in Syria, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday.

“Vladimir Putin has been negotiating with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who traveled to Russia for work”, mentioned the Russian government in a press release, adding that both world leaders have discussed the fight against terrorism and the prospects of a political agreement in Syria.

During the visit at Putin’s summer residence at Sochi, situated on the Black Sea shore, the Kremlin leader took the time to congratulate Assad for his “results” regarding the fight against terrorism.

According to Putin, the meeting focused on discussing “a long-term political and peaceful settlement” in Syria after the defeat of the terrorists.

“We still have a long way to go before we complete our victory against the terrorists, but as far as our cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Syria is concerned, this military operation is really coming to an end”, the Russian President told to his Syrian counterpart.

According to images broadcasted by a Russian television, Assad thanked Putin, Russian Defense Minister and Russian Chief of Staff for their support in Syria.

Assad handed over his Russian counterpart the “Syrian people’s gratitude” for defending the “territorial integrity and independence” of Syria, according to some of his statements translated into Russian.

Putin also said that after meeting with Assad, he plans to unfold a series of consultations with the emir of Qatar, US President Donald Trump and Middle East leaders.

The telephonic conversation with Donald Trump is scheduled for Tuesday, according to Putin, a detail made public by the Kremlin.