Large-scale combat against terrorists in Syria to end: Putin

MOSCOW - 22 November 2017: Large-scale combat actions against terrorists are coming to an end and the efforts of Russia, Iran and Turkey have helped to prevent Syria’s breakup, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday opening a trilateral meeting in Sochi.

"The large-scale combat actions against terror groups in Syria are coming to an end," Putin said. "I note that the efforts of Russia, Iran and Turkey have helped to prevent Syria’s breakup, not allow its takeover by international terrorists and avoid a humanitarian crisis", according to TASS News Agency on Wednesday.

The Russian leader noted that a decisive blow had been dealt to militants in Syria, and "a real chance has emerged to end the civil war that has raged for many years."

Putin thanked his counterparts for accepting the invitation and coming to Sochi to discuss further joint efforts on the Syrian track.

Russia, Turkey and Iran should team up to get the situation back to normal in Syria and to assist in the country’s development after the war, according to Putin.

"We can state with confidence that we have reached a new stage opening the door for a real political process," Putin said. "I believe that our efforts should be concentrated on long-tern normalization in Syria. I especially mean the political solution aimed to finalize the talks within the framework of Geneva process and to help develop the country in the post-conflict period."

The Russian head of state underlined that Wednesday’s summit was expected to solve this task. The presidents are to discuss their future joint steps aimed at strengthening and promoting recent positive changes in Syria.

The three presidents would share views on how to give maximum impetus to the political process basing on the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 2254, he added. The document envisages a nationwide dialogue in Syria involving people from all walks of life, of all ethnic, confessional and political backgrounds, without exception.