Putin meets Jordan king, says no military solution to Syria crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed optimism over cessation of hostilities in Syria and rejected military options as a solution to the crisis.

At a meeting in Moscow with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Putin praised Jordan’s role in supporting the ongoing efforts to achieve peace in Syria.

“Through our common efforts the process is developing on the basis of a very significant decision that was reached – the cessation of hostilities,” the Russian leader said.

He pointed to the achievements of the recent Syrian peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana as a “good basis”, saying all parties to the negotiations agreed that there was “no military solution to the Syrian crisis.”

King Abdullah II, for his part, praised Russia’s role in the peace talks, saying, “Without Russia, we will not be able to find solutions to not only the Syrian problem but other regional problems in the Middle East.”

He expressed hope that the results of Astana meeting will bring “an inclusive future to all Syrian people.”