Russia pledges ‘political, economic and military’ support to Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to support Syria’s government “politically, economically and militarily,” the war-torn country’s Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said in Moscow on Monday.

“I received a promise from President Putin to support Syria politically, economically and militarily,” Muallem said at a press conference with his Russian counterpart after meeting Putin.

Moscow has been a key backer of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad throughout the uprising against him that began in March 2011, providing diplomatic cover, as well as financial assistance to Damascus.

It has also hosted talks between regime figures and members of the tolerated domestic Syrian <g data-gr-id="19">opposition,</g> though they reached no firm conclusions and did not include the main internationally recognised opposition National Coalition.

After meeting Muallem, Putin reiterated that his country would continue to stand with Assad’s government, quashing rumours to the contrary. “We are convinced that in the end the Syrian people will be victorious,” he said.

“And our policy, which is intended to support Syria, Syria’s leaders and its people, remains unchanged,” he added.