Russia and Saudi Arabia discuss political solution in Syria

(Baonghean.vn) - Russian President Vladimir Putinjust had a meeting with the Saudi Arabian Defense Minister- Prince Mohammed bin SalmanThe two sides have discussed a political solution in Syria, where Moscow has been conducting air strikes since late September.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photo: Reuters.

Mr. Putin and Prince Salman met in the southern Russian city of Sochi on October 11, attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Lavrov affirmed that after the talks, Russia and Saudi Arabia "better understand how to move towards a political solution."

“We have been cooperating closely with Saudi Arabia for many years on the crisis in Syria,” Foreign Minister Lavrov said.

“The two sides confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Russia have similar objectives regarding Syria. Above all, it is not to allow a terrorist state to take over the country,” he added.

The Russian foreign minister also said that Moscow was ready to cooperate more closely with Riyadh to make clear that it was in fact targeting the Islamic State (IS), al-Nusra and other terrorist groups in Syria.

Prince Salman said Russia's military intervention in Syria had raised concerns in Riyadh about the possibility of Moscow forming an alliance with Iran.

The prince insisted that Saudi Arabia only supported a political solution that would see the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a staunch ally of Moscow.

Syrian government forces have been supported by Russian airstrikes since the country began its airstrikes on September 30.

The Russian Defense Minister also said on October 11 that Russian warplanes destroyed 53 IS strongholds in 63 airstrikes in the provinces of Hama, Latakia, Idlib and Raqqa.

However, Russia's air campaign has further complicated the situation for the US-led anti-IS coalition.

Moscow has also faced criticism from some Western countries for allegedly targeting its air campaign against anti-Assad rebels, and not simply against IS as it intended.

However, Mr. Putin affirmed on October 11 that the goal of Russia's campaign is "to stabilize and legitimize the governments and create conditions for finding a political compromise."

Thu Giang

(According to dpa, AFP)