Russian President Vladimir Putin Hosts Syrian Leader Bashar al-Assad At Sochi

Reuters: Russia's Putin hosts Assad in fresh drive for Syria peace deal

MOSCOW/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad late on Monday for three hours of talks to lay the groundwork for a new push by Moscow to end Syria’s conflict now that Islamic State’s territorial caliphate is overrun.

Russia is actively trying to broker an international consensus around a peace deal for Syria, over two years after Moscow began a military intervention that turned the tide of the conflict in Assad’s favor.

Putin said he would follow up his meeting with Assad by talking in the next 48 hours to international leaders with influence over the conflict, among them U.S. President Donald Trump, the Saudi king, and the leaders of Iran and Turkey.

Previous attempts to end Syria’s six years of war have foundered because of bitter disagreements among players in the conflict, both inside and outside Syria, especially whether Assad himself should stay in power.

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WNU Editor: This is what this trip is really all about .... Putin is getting ready to pull out of Syria after securing political future for Assad (Business Insider).

More News On Russian President Vladimir Putin Hosting Syrian Leader Bashar al-Assad At Sochi

Warm embrace: Assad in surprise Putin meeting ahead of Moscow’s talks with Turkey, Iran -- RT
On surprise Russia trip, Assad and Putin talk post-war Syria -- Washington Post/AP
Syria: Putin renews call for political deal in Assad visit -- BBC News
Putin Hosts Surprise Syrian Talks With Assad In Sochi -- Radio Free Europe
Bashar al-Assad thanks Putin for 'saving our country' as Russian leader prepares for talks on ending Syrian war -- The Telegraph
Assad Tells Putin at Meeting: Syria Was Saved as a State Thanks to Russia -- Sputnik International
Russia's military operation in Syria nears end, say Assad and Putin -- Financial Times
Russian President Says His Generals Saved Syria as He Hugs Bashar al-Assad -- Newsweek
Putin hosts Assad, says military operation in Syria is wrapping up -- The Jerusalem Post
Assad makes first foreign trip in over two years to thank Putin -- Euronews