Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for an unannounced meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Saudi broadcaster al-Arabiya reported.
The meeting, which a Kremlin spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday, centered on the ongoing joint military campaign in Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS). Russia began air strikes against extremist targets in the country last month, though top U.S. officials have condemned Moscow’s campaign as “reckless” and allege that strikes are also targeting U.S.-backed “moderate” rebels opposed to the Assad regime.
Syrian media said the meeting marked Assad’s first trip outside of the country since its civil war began four years ago. According to a transcript provided by the Kremlin, Putin said Russia hoped to contribute “not only to military action … but to the political process [in Syria] too.” Syria, Putin said, is Russia’s “friend.”
Read more: Timeline: The Rise of ISIS
Earlier on Tuesday, the U.S. and Russia signed a deal to avoid potential incidents between their air forces operating over Syria. The agreement came 10 days after a Russian fighter plane flew within miles of a U.S. jet in the region.
- Meet TIME’s Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
- After Visiting Both Ends of the Earth, I Realized How Much Trouble We’re In
- Google Is Making It Easier to Remove Personal Info From Search
- Oil Companies Posted Huge Profits. Here’s Where The Cash Will Go (Hint: Not Climate)
- Column: We Asked Hundreds of Americans About Abortion. Their Feelings Were Complicated
- A Short History of the Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of the Marcos Family
- Long-Lasting Birth Control Is Already Hard to Get. Advocates Worry It May Only Get Worse
- Who Should Be on the 2022 TIME100? Vote Now
