- Russia key backer of the Syrian regime and helped to turn civil war in its favour
- Assad travelled to the Black Sea resort of Sochi to meet Russian President
- He also said plans to send delegation to U.N to discuss political reforms in Syria
Syrian President President Bashar al-Assad travelled to the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi for talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Assad told Putin that the situation in Syria was getting more stable, according to the Kremlin, and that he now plans political reforms in the country.
The pair last met at a Russian air force base in Latakia, north east Syria in December.
Bashar al-Assad shakes hands with Vladimir Putin during a meeting at Bocharov Ruchei residence in Sochi
A transcript of Thursday’s meeting released by the Kremlin quoted Assad as saying that Syria is making progress in fighting ‘terrorism,’ which ‘opens the door to the political process.’
Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Assad informed Putin of his decision to ‘send a delegation to the U.N.’ to discuss reforming the country’s constitution.
Russian military intervention, along with that of Iran and Hezbollah, has turned the tide in the Syrian seven year civil war in favour of the Assad regime.
Russia launched its air campaign in Syria at the end of September 2015 when Assad’s government was teetering on the brink of collapse.
Assad and Putin pictured the last time they met, at an air force base in Latakia, Syria
The size of the Russian deployment in Syria is not known but independent Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer estimates that up to 10,000 troops and private contractors could have taken part in the conflict.
The last time they met footage showed the Syrian strongman being humbled on his own turf – when a Kremlin serviceman ordered him to wait while Putin walked off in front of him.
The clip shows a man in military clothing placing his hand on Assad’s arm and urging him to stop walking as Putin advanced with his own officials.
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