BENAULIM, October 16. /TASS/. As many countries as possible should take part in the Syrian settlement process and that’s in Russia’s interests, President Vladimir Putin told reporters after the BRICS summit.
"We are always ready to speak to everyone, moreover, we are interested in that as many countries as possible are involved in this process, and moreover such a big and great power as France with its possibilities," Putin said.
Putin reminded that France is part of the Friends of Syria group, but is not deeply involved in the Syrian issue. "We remember the moment when the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier approached the Syrian shores and we seemed to agree on joint work, but in a few days it turned back and went to the Suez Canal, and so what? What should we talk about?" he said.
The Russian president said after the BRICS summit in India that he had informed his counterparts about his vision of possible solutions to the Syrian problems. He said the BRICS leaders share the position about urgency of anti-terrorism efforts.
"Yes, all share this position, all think that it is necessary to continue anti-terrorism efforts," Putin told journalists. "Naturally, all believe that there is no way to solve the Syrian problem other than political and diplomatic settlement," he said.
"In this context, I informed all our BRICS colleagues and friends about how we see the situation unfolding in Syria in general and in Aleppo in particular," the Russian leader said.
BRICS is an informal association of five nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. If was founded at the Petersburg Economic Forum in 2006 as BRIC to be joined by South Africa in 2009.