Syria, Iran, other issues discussed by Merkel, Putin in Germany

The Kremlin says German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a “very serious and detailed" three-hour discussion during their meeting outside of Berlin, including an exchange of views on Syria, Iran, and a crucial pipeline project, Radio Free Europe said.   

The remarks to reporters early on August 19 by Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov were the first comments after the meeting of the two leaders at Meseberg Castle north of Berlin. Few details were revealed.

Officials had said the leaders would not be holding a news conference following their talks, and no other official statements were immediately released.

In his comments, Peskov said the two leaders agreed to continue the four-party dialogue involving Russia, Germany, France, and Turkey in efforts to end the war in Syria.

During the press conference Putin said that Syria needed assistance to rebuild and to ensure that refugees who had fled the country could safely return to their homes.

Moscow, along with Iran, has given Bashar Assad crucial support throughout his war on Syrians. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed since the conflict began with the regime crackdown on protesters in March 2011.

The United States and the West claim they support the Syrian opposition Syrian in the war, while Turkey supports the opposition fighters in the country.

The two leaders last met in Sochi in May and struggled to overcome differences.