Putin Reiterates Need to Eliminate Remaining Hotbeds of Terrorism in Syria

OSAKA, (ST)- President Vladimir Putin of Russia has reiterated the need to eliminate the remaining hotbeds of terrorism in Syria.

In a press conference at the conclusion of the G20 Summit in the Japanese city of Osaka on Saturday, Putin said “there are several  hotbeds of terrorism in Syria that needs to be eliminated, noting the existence of continuous dialogue with the Americans and the Turks on the situation in Syria in order to coordinate counterterrorism efforts.

He added that his meeting with the US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit, was fruitful as the two sides reached understanding about the need to get out of the current complicated situation and to consolidate bilateral economic relations.

 He pointed out that he discussed with his US counterpart the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (STAR III), clarifying that the ministries of defense and foreign affairs in both countries were tasked with extending this treaty,

The G20 summit has ended today in the Japanese city of Osaka.

In his closing statement, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed “We have been able to reach a consensus on the need to promote fair, free trade without discrimination”.

START III is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation. It was signed on 8 April 2010 in Prague and after ratification it entered into force on 5 February 2011. It is expected to last at least until 2021.

Hamda Mustafa