President Assad met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Saturday, hailing Moscow’s “support of the Syrian people and the sovereignty and independence of nations”.
Russia’s political, economic, and military support has been vital to Assad’s survival in the 39-month conflict.
Assad used Ryabkov’s visit to put out his line of the “threat that growing terrorism and extremism in the region pose to regional and international security and stability”, saying that it must be met by the “synchronized efforts” of all countries.
Ryabkov responded with praise of Assad’s nominal re-election and the handover of the regime’s chemical weapons “amid tough circumstances and a war it wages against terrorism”.
