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.
![SYRIA-RUSSIA/ Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad at Umayyad Mosque, in Damascus, Syria in this handout released by SANA on January 7, 2020. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE - RC23BE9NJLQX](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2019/12/RTS2XIKG.jpg/RTS2XIKG.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=qwsk89Ae)
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.