What's happened
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow to discuss rising tensions in the Middle East. Putin expressed concern about the situation in the region, particularly in Syria. This meeting comes as Russia seeks to mediate tensions between Syria and Turkey.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, Putin and Assad discussed the escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Putin expressing concern about the situation. Sky News highlighted the friendly exchange between the two leaders during the meeting. The Moscow Times reported on the meeting in the context of Russia's role in mediating tensions between Syria and Turkey.
How we got here
Russia has been a key ally of President Assad during the Syrian civil war, providing military support that helped Assad regain control over the country. The meeting between Putin and Assad comes as Russia seeks to navigate complex relationships in the region, including with Turkey.
Go deeper
- What were the key topics discussed during the meeting?
- How might improved relations between Syria and Turkey affect the region?
- What role does Russia play in mediating conflicts in the Middle East?
More on these topics
-
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
-
Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who has been the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and Regional Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party's branch in Syria.
-
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a Turkish politician serving as the 12th and current President of Turkey. He previously served as Prime Minister of Turkey from 2003 to 2014 and as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998.
-
Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
-
Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in