Putin Meets Syrian President Assad in Moscow

Putin expressed interest in Assad's views on regional developments, highlighting escalation in Syria. They discussed the importance of discussing details and potential scenarios in the Eurasian region.

The meeting late Wednesday comes at a time when Russia, which saved Assad's government through its military intervention in 2015 during a civil war, could mediate to defuse tensions between Syria and Türkiye.

The first meeting of the two men since March last year comes after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan evoked the possibility of the three leaders meeting to try and normalize ties between Ankara and Damascus.

"Now we have come to such a point that as soon as Bashar al-Assad takes a step towards improving relations with Türkiye, we will show him the same approach," Erdoğan said.

Recently, Ankara has shifted focus to preventing what Erdoğan in 2019 dubbed a "terror corridor" from opening up in northern Syria.

Erdoğan has long said he could reconsider ties with Assad as his government is working to ensure safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees.

Source: HDN