23 Mar 2020 19:59

Al-Assad, Shoigu discuss ways to ensure ceasefire in Idlib at talks in Syria - Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. March 23 (Interfax) - Russian Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu has paid a working trip to Syria and held negotiations with President Bashar al-Assad to discuss ways to ensure a stable ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation area and stabilize the situation in other parts of Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"While in Damascus, Sergei Shoigu was received by President Bashar al-Assad of the Syrian Arab Republic. During negotiations, they discussed ways to ensure a stable cessation of hostilities in the Idlib de-escalation area and stabilize the situation in other parts of Syria, as well as various aspects of military-technical cooperation as part of joint efforts against international terrorist groups," the ministry said in a statement seen by Interfax.

Shoigu and al-Assad also "touched upon Russia's humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population suffering from prohibitive sanctions by Western countries, as well as the reconstruction of the republic's economic potential with assistance from Russian specialists," the ministry said.

Sukhoi Su-35S fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces escorted the aircraft carrying Shoigu to Syria to ensure its security, it said.

Shoigu traveled to Syria "on Russian President Vladimir Putin's instructions."