Putin-Assad meeting is symbol of further cooperation between Russia, Syria - A Just Russia
MOSCOW. Oct 21 (Interfax) - State Duma Vice-Speaker Nikolai Levichev (A Just Russia) believes that the recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad demonstrates Russia's intention to carry on official cooperation with the Syrian authorities and to fight terrorism.
"I believe that this meeting is a symbolic act which demonstrates that Russia will carry on official cooperation with the authorities of the Syrian Republic in the fight against world evil, ISIL, outlawed in Russia so that no one has any doubt that we will step back," Levichev told reporters on Wednesday.
"Negotiations of such kind could not help but consider options of the political future of Syria with due account of the opinion of everyone interested in the peaceful and stable future of this country," he said.
Levichev recalled his recent meeting with domestic Syrian opposition members "who represent a variety of political forces and continue to criticize President al-Assad for particular aspects of his domestic policy but agree that the people of Syria should make a decision on the future of the Syrian state," Levichev said.
Putin said on Tuesday that Russia might contribute to the Syrian settlement process not only in the fight against terrorism but also in the political process.
