MOSCOW, Russia: The Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is ready to contribute not only to fight against terrorism but also to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
His statement came in a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad who arrived in Moscow on a surprise visit on Tuesday evening and held a discussion with Putin.
During the meeting, Assad apprised Putin about the situation in the Middle Eastern country and the steps having been taken by his government in fight against the Islamic State (IS) militants.
On the occasion, Putin stressed that military operations in Syria must be followed by political steps to try to end the conflict.
“We are ready to make our contribution not only during armed hostilities in the fight against terrorism but also during a political process,” Putin told Assad.
Putin noted that Russia cannot let the IS militants to fulfil their agenda and since around 4,000 people from Russia and Central Asian states have joined the terrorist group in Middle East, Moscow fears that these people could target the Russian territory in future as well as carry out the ideological brainwashing of its citizens.
“Unfortunately, people from the former Soviet republics, at least 4,000 of them, are fighting against the Syrian army,” Putin said according to RT.
“Naturally, we cannot allow them to appear on Russian territory with all the combat experience and ideological brainwashing they have gone through.”
The Syrian president thanked his Russian counterpart for his support provided to Syria in fighting for its sovereignty and unity, and also stressed the importance of further political steps.
“Terrorists would have occupied far greater territories if it were not for Russia’s military assistance,” President Assad said, adding that political steps are due to follow military action.
“The only aim for all of us should be what the Syrian people want as a future for their country,” he added.
