Putin holds 'constructive' meeting with Kerry, praises Obama’s leadership in Syria
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian President Vladimir Putin say that cooperation between the two countries has been instrumental in achieving an unexpectedly successful cessation of hostilities in war-torn Syria. After an exhaustive discussion session with US Secretary of State John Kerry that lasted four hours on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that this visit would help narrow gaps in Moscow and Washington’s positions on Syria and Ukraine crises. The current cessation of hostilities in Syria issue became possible largely owing to the position of US leadership, in particular that of US President Barack Obama,Putin said in his opening remarks at the meeting with Kerry. “We understand that what we have managed to achieve on the Syrian track has only been possible thanks to the position of the political leadership of the United States, the position of President Obama,” Putin told Kerry. Kerry said it is fair to say that cooperation between the United States and Russia has made it possible for Syrians to “taste and smell” what it means to have a reduction of violence and a resumption of some humanitarian aid deliveries after five years of bloodshed. "Mr. President," Kerry said to Putin, "I know you have ideas, and you've already made a very critical decision with respect to draw down forces in Syria. We obviously also have ideas on how we can now, most effectively, make progress in [the United Nations talks in] Geneva, and then the very serious and difficult work of the decision." Kerry also began the talks with Putin on a positive and optimistic note, saying: "I look forward much to the opportunity to be able to find a way forward, and frankly, ultimately to see if we can rebuild the relationship between the Untied States and Russia by proving we can solve some serious problems together and building from there." Russia has been opposed to the US-led clamour for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad ahead of fresh elections in the war-torn country. The latest round of Syrian peace talks ended in Geneva on Thursday. The UN has called for talks to resume on April 9. Kerry expressed the hope that the talks could allow the two countries to find a way to “rebuild and strengthen the relationship between the US and Russia by proving that we can solve serious problems together.” Kerry later tweeted to say talks with Putin were “constructive”. “We obviously also have some ideas about how we can together, most effectively, make progress even deeper and then begin the very serious work regarding political transition process of Syria,” Kerry said.
