"The chapter on the fight against terrorism in Syria will soon be closed. Now the main issue is a political settlement involving all parties concerned," said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad during their personal talks that took place in Sochi. They also met with the leadership of the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense, whom the Syrian leader profusely thanked for efforts of the Russian military in Syria.
Our reporter, Pavel Zarubin give us his report on what lies ahead.
It's Bocharov Ruchey, the President's residence in Sochi. It was here, on the porch, that yesterday the unannounced meeting of President Putin with Syria's President, Bashar Al-Assad, began. It's unknown when exactly it started, but certain conclusions can be drawn from details. The footage made by the President's personal cameraman shows that when Assad entered the residence, it was still light outside, while the farewell footage was made in the darkness. Negotiations lasted for nearly 4 hours, as Peskov, the spokesman of the President, will later state. By the end of the talks, the command of the Russian Armed Forces had arrived at the residence. Assad shook their hands, which was, undoubtedly, much more than the usual protocol greeting.
Putin: I'd like to introduce to you those who have played a key role in saving Syria. I hope that we will close the final chapter on the fight against terrorism in Syria, although obviously, some hotspots will remain or will flare up again. But our main mission is almost accomplished, and I hope we will be able to say that we have accomplished it soon. Without the military's efforts, and without your efforts, and without the efforts and heroism of your subordinates, the conditions for a political process could not have been created. This goal has been achieved thanks to the Russian Armed Forces and our Syrian friends on the battlefield. Thank you for this.
Assad: In the two years since then, we can see the success that has been achieved thanks to cooperation between the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Army. Nobody can deny this success in the fight against terrorism now. Thanks to your actions, as well as the actions of the Syrian Army and our allies, many Syrians have been able to return home. Speaking on behalf of the Syrian people, I would like to express our gratitude for what you have accomplished. We will never forget this. Also, I would like to thank personally President Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov for their direct involvement in this operation.
It is clear that this meeting went unannounced for security reasons. The President of Syria practically does not leave his country. The footage shows Putin, Assad, and Shoigu carefully studying an important document. And all the world's media are now studying this meeting second per second. The comments are reflective of the TV channels.
CNN: “This is the second time, as far as we know, that these two people have met face to face, after Russia began its terrible military campaign in Syria back in 2015“.
"Terrible" campaign is mentioned by the same media outlets that have widely supported and largely fueled the massacre that ravaged practically the entire Middle East.
And yes, it was an obvious invasion.
Even after the bombardment of the Russian embassy in Damascus by terrorists, the US refused to support the UN Security Council resolution condemning it.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: This, of course, is an incorrect, a sacrilegious approach. And I have nothing more to say on the subject. We expected that elementary ethical standards would prevail. In vain.
Despite the relapses of terrorist attacks, which are still possible, in general, the situation in Syria, of course, has reversed. Two years ago, the country was drowning in blood. Now, thanks to Russia's actions, 98% of the territory has been liberated from terrorists, and a public dialogue has begun.
Negotiations with Assad in Sochi, of course, lay the groundwork for the success of tomorrow's summit on Syria.
Erdogan will arrive in Russia for the second time in just 8 days, the Iranian president will arrive, too. In addition, Putin is to hold a whole series of phone conversations. Some of them have been held, others are to take place, for example, with Trump, with the Emir of Qatar, the King of Saudi Arabia, the heads of Middle Eastern countries.
Putin: Of course, the main subject on the agenda is a peaceful and lasting political settlement in Syria after the routing of the terrorists. Thanks to the Astana process we managed to create de-escalation zones, which allowed us to start the first real and in-depth dialogue with the opposition. Foreign Ministers, heads of the General Staffs of Russia, Turkey and Iran held their meetings on the eve of the big summit.
Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia's General Staff: "The civil war has been stopped, conditions have been created for the restoration of peaceful life and the return of refugees. Naturally, we face some difficulties, but it's important that we manage to come to an agreement".
After tomorrow's summit, the next important point for the public reconciliation in Syria will be the Congress of Syrian Peoples, which can also take place in Sochi. When might the Congress of Syrian People take place?
Dmitry Peskov, the President's spokesman: "The dates are unknown, but discussions at an expert and high political levels continue".
Before leaving Sochi, Assad offered Putin a picture written in Arabic script. And he conveyed an important message from the Syrian people several times.
Assad: I would like to pass gratitude from the Syrian people to you, Mr. President, for our joint success in defending Syria’s territorial integrity and independence. After our victories over the terrorists, we are interested in promoting the political process. We hope Russia will support us by ensuring the external players’ non-interference in the political process, so that they will only support the process being carried out by the Syrians themselves.
Putin: You have mentioned the completion of the military operation. I believe that terrorism is a global problem and the fight against it is, of course, far from over. As for our joint efforts against the terrorists in Syria, this military operation is indeed nearing completion. And the people of Syria, of course, know and understands whom to thank for it.
Pavel Zarubin, Andrey Melnikov, Pyotr Ravnov, and Dmitry Yarmolenko for Vesti from Sochi.
