![President of Syria Bashar Al-Assad is welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin (not seen) in Sochi, Russia on 17 May, 2018 [Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/20180517_2_30434049_33842460.jpg?fit=920%2C567&ssl=1)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met representatives of Russia’s foreign and defence ministries in Damascus on Friday, Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
During the meeting, they discussed the development of the situation in Syria and reaffirmed their commitment to the “destruction of terrorist presence” and advancement towards a long-term political settlement in the interest of all Syrians.