Putin in meeting with Assad: The presence of foreigners is the main problem in Syria.
Russian state media reported on Tuesday morning that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had traveled to Moscow and met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
According to the Tass news agency on Wednesday, Putin said that during the meeting that took place last night and the news of which was published in the Russian media this morning, the presence of foreign forces in Syria without the permission of Russian officials and government is one of the main problems facing Syria.
“The presence of foreign armed forces in Syria without the permission of the United Nations and without the permission of Syria is a major problem in Syria, and it is in conflict with international law,” Putin said.
The Russian president said the presence of foreign forces in Syria would hamper the country’s efforts to strengthen and rebuild.
Putin also stressed that the government of Bashar al-Assad is making great efforts to establish a dialogue with the political opposition and to rebuild and strengthen Syria, and that despite all the challenges of the past years in Syria, the Syrian people trust him.
Putin expressed hope that the joint effort would help the Syrian people to stand on their own two feet in the true sense of the word and, above all, help revitalize the country in the economic, social and health spheres.
Bashar al-Assad also criticized the sanctions against the Syrian people, calling them inhumane and illegal.
According to Russian media, Bashar al-Assad arrived in Moscow on Monday on an unannounced visit and met with Putin in the Kremlin.
