How Moscow is positioning itself as broker amid Mideast tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin's shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East seeks to gain Russia more power and higher status.
On Jan. 7, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin made a snap visit to Syria. Putin proceeded from the Damascus airport to the command post of the Russian forces, where he was welcomed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the two presidents listened to reports from their militaries about the ongoing situations in different parts of Syria.
The presidents later held a bilateral meeting where, according to Peskov, Putin noted to Assad that “one can be safe to say a long way has been covered in the restoration of Syrian statehood and territorial integrity.”
“[The president] noted that sparks of restoring life are observable in Damascus,” Peskov added.
