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.
- Donald Trump Was Just Indicted. Here's What to Know About the Charges and the Case
- What Could Happen Next for Donald Trump
- Trump's Indictment Drama Showcased His Rivals' Weakness
- Inside Ukraine's Push to Try Putin For War Crimes
- Bad Bunny's Next Move
- Elon Musk Signs Open Letter Urging AI Labs to Pump the Brakes
- Eliezer Yudkowsky: Pausing AI Developments Isn't Enough. We Need to Shut it All Down
- 'How Is This Still Happening?' A Survivor Questions America's Gun Violence Problem
- Cheryl Strayed Will Always Be Here for You
- Who Should Be on the 2023 TIME100? Vote Now