'Brothers' Assad and Putin embrace

Hug of thanks:  Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, hugs Syrian President Bashar Assad in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi

Assad thanked Moscow military leaders 'on behalf of the Syrian people', despite allegations that that Russian airstrikes are said to have killed thousands of civilians.


Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has praised Vladimir Putin for 'saving Syria', as the two leaders met ahead of a summit between Russia, Turkey and Iran to discuss the peace process.

Russian television showed footage of Putin and Assad entering a meeting with the top brass of Russia's defense ministry and the General Staff.

'I asked the Syrian president to stop by,' Putin can be seen turning to Assad and saying: 'I would like to introduce you to people who played a key role in saving Syria.'

'On behalf of the entire Syrian people, I express my gratitude for what you have done,' Assad told generals. 'We will not forget it.'

Assad's opponents, and Western governments, have accused Russia of killing significant numbers of Syrian civilians with its air strikes, allegations Moscow denies. 

Putin praised Assad for 'fighting terrorism,' which he predicted would suffer an 'inevitable' defeat in Syria, the Kremlin said.

Cheers guys: Assad thanked Moscow military leaders 'on behalf of the Syrian people', despite allegations that that their airstrikes are said to have killed thousands of civilians