Negotiations between Russian and Syrian presidents Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad indicate the intention of the Russian Federation to continue its policy of cooperation with the Syrian government in the fight against the terrorist group of ‘Islamic State’. This opinion was expressed by Nikolay Levichev, the Deputy Speaker of the State Duma and a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

‘I think that, first of all, it’s a very symbolic act which makes it clear that Russia is formally going to continue its cooperation with the state structures of Syria in the fight against the global scourge called ‘Islamic State,’ Levichev said commenting on the talks of the two leaders.

At the same time he believes that the negotiations are aimed at considering of all the variants of the Syrian political future involving all the interested parties, to achieve a peaceful, stable future of this state.

According to Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson of Vladimir Putin, at the meeting the progress of Russia’s military operation in Syria was discussed, as well as the fight against ISIS and the various aspects of bilateral relations.

This has been the first foreign visit of Assad since the beginning of the civil war in the country in 2011.