Putin in Meeting with Assad: Foreign Military Forces Will Leave Syria with the Start of Political Process

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Syrian President Bashar Assad and stated that the conditions are now favorable for the start of a 'political process' in Syria, which could lead to the withdrawal of foreign armed forces. According to the Kremlin, Putin expressed during the meeting held in Sochi, Russia: 'Following the military victory (of the Syrian army in recent months), conditions have emerged that significantly contribute to the beginning of the political process.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the two presidents had 'detailed discussions' during this meeting, which was their first since last winter at a Russian airbase in Syria. Putin also mentioned: 'With the initiation of an effective and fundamental political process, foreign forces will leave Syria.' However, he did not specify which foreign forces he was referring to. According to a report by AFP, Putin congratulated Assad on what he called the 'success of the Syrian army in fighting against terrorist groups.' He added: 'The next task, of course, is the revival of the economy and humanitarian assistance for those who are in difficult conditions.' Russia has been involved in the Syrian civil war for the past three years, aiding the survival of Assad's regime through its intervention. According to a statement released by the Syrian government, Assad stated that 'we have conducted our review regarding the political process' and are set to select candidates for the constitutional committee, a proposal that was raised in January during the Sochi conference, which anticipates cooperation between the Syrian government and the UN. Assad also mentioned that conditions in Syria are becoming more stable, which facilitates the political process that 'we have already begun some time ago.' The meeting between Assad and Putin comes ahead of a meeting between Russian and German leaders, which is also set to take place in Sochi and will be the first meeting between Angela Merkel and Putin this year. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and millions displaced from their homes during the seven years of the Syrian civil war.