Assad, Putin discuss Syria situation in Moscow

Moscow says Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held talks on the situation in Syria in Russia's capital.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that during the meeting the Syrian president informed the Russian leader about the plans of government forces in the fight against terrorists in the Middle Easter country.

“Yesterday evening Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in Moscow for a working visit,” Peskov said.

He went on to say that the two presidents had a lengthy discussion, part of which was conducted in the presence of Russia’s top policymakers. “The agenda of the negotiations is clearly understandable,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

During the negation, Putin told Assad that Russia is ready to contribute not only to the fight against terrorism but also to finding a political solution to the crisis in the Arab country.

“The decisive word, without any doubt, must belong solely to the Syrian people,” Putin stressed.

Putin further noted that at least 4,000 citizens from the former Soviet Union are fighting along with terrorists is Syria, adding, “We can’t let them appear in Russia.”

Russia began its military campaign against terrorists in Syria on September 30 upon a request from the Damascus government, shortly after the upper house of the Russian parliament gave President Vladimir Putin the mandate to use military force in Syria.

Assad reportedly said that all Syrian people want to participate in deciding the future of the country.

“The only aim for all of us should be what the Syrian people want as a future for their country,” he stressed

He also appreciated the Russian support for fighting terrorists in Syria.

“Terrorists would have occupied far greater territories if it were not for Russia’s military assistance,”  Assad said, adding that political steps are due to follow military action.

The Syrian president reportedly returned to his home country earlier on Wednesday.

"The visit to Moscow was yesterday and he is today in Damascus," a spokesman for the presidency said.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The crisis has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people so far and displaced millions.