“On Tuesday, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria visited Moscow. He held talks with President Vladimir Putin and met with other Russian leaders,” Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his page in Facebook.
The prime minister also shared his impressions of Syria, what it was five years ago, when he visited the country as Russia's president.
“The last time I saw the Syrian President was in Damascus in May 2010. Syria was a tranquil and civilized country then, unlike now. The old part of Damascus, where I could take a walk, looked like a city where people of different nationalities and religions lived together peacefully.”
“I talked with Syrians, who spoke warmly about Russia and its people. I photographed its ancient mosques and churches. It was a modern secular country.”
Everything changed a year later, the prime minister noted with regret.
“Life in Syria became a nightmare in 2011, with war, terror, death and the destruction of holy places and monuments that are part of our global heritage.”
Russia has never changed its policy towards Syria, the head of the government stressed.
“Back then we supported the legitimate government, and we are doing this now. Despite the events of the past years, President Bashar al-Assad was as calm and composed during his visit to Moscow as he had been five years ago.”
“Syria is undoubtedly a key issue on the global agenda. Acting in response to a request from the Syrian leadership, Russia has come to its rescue, and we are now fighting terrorism together. But the future of Syria can only be decided by its people. It is up to them, rather than to individual ethnic groups or political forces, to decide on their future and to choose the leader who would take them there. We will help Syrians protect their sovereignty. We believe that peace will return to that ancient land.”
