RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin met President Bashar al-Assad of Syria in the Kremlin on Wednesday.

Mr Putin told Mr Assad he was concerned that tensions are rising in the Middle East.

He said: “Unfortunately, there is a tendency towards escalation, we can see that. This also applies directly to Syria.”

The two leaders last met in March 2023 in the Kremlin on the anniversary of Syria’s 12-year uprising-turned-civil war. At that meeting, Mr Putin emphasised the Russian military’s role in stabilising the country.

Mr Assad told the Russian leader: “Considering all the events that are taking place in the world as a whole and in the Eurasian region today, our meeting today seems very important.”

The Kremlin did not provide further details on the talks but one potential point of discussion was around Syria and Turkey restoring diplomatic relations.

Russia is one of the strongest backers of Mr Assad’s government but also has close ties with Turkey and has been pushing for a return to restart relations.

Turkey and Syria cut their ties in 2011 as anti-government protests in Syria spiralled into the still-ongoing civil war. Turkey backed Syrian insurgent groups seeking to overthrow President Assad and still maintains forces in the opposition-held north-west, angering Damascus.

In December 2022, the Turkish, Syrian and Russian defence ministers held talks in Moscow, the first ministerial-level meeting between Turkey and Syria since 2011. 

Russia also brokered meetings between Syrian and Turkish officials last year.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Mr Assad recently signalled they are interested in restoring diplomatic ties.

Earlier this month, Mr Erdogan said he had called on Mr Assad to visit Turkey or to meet in a third country.

Speaking to reporters on July 15, Mr Assad said that in order for relations to return to normal Turkey would have to withdraw its troops from northern Syria and stop backing insurgent groups.