Putin: Moscow-Washington Partnership Facilitates Political Process in Syria

The partnership between Moscow and Washington paved the way toward launching political process in Syria, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia's cooperation with the United States and other partners helped launch the political process in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"Together with the United States and other partners it was possible to launch a political process with the participation of Damascus authorities and the opposition, create conditions to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population," Putin said.

A US-Russia-brokered ceasefire came into force across Syria on February 27. It does not apply to terrorist groups such as Daesh and al-Nusra Front, both outlawed in many countries, including Russia.

Last week, US Department of State deputy spokesperson Mark Toner welcomed Russia’s efforts to defeat Daesh in Syria.

Both Washington and Moscow have been conducting military operations against terrorists in the war-torn country. The US-led international coalition of more than 60 members has been carrying out airstrikes against Daesh targets in Iraq and Syria since August and September 2014 respectively. Russia began its own operation in September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.