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Mop-up operations to eliminate terrorists in Syria being wrapped up - Putin

The Russian president said "at this is also aimed the joint Russian-American statement"

DA NANG /Vietnam/, November 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin says it is crucial to establish conditions in Syria for a political settlement, as mop-up operations to destroy the remaining terrorists there is drawing to a close.

"Nowadays, it is evident that the combat operations on destroying Syria's hotbed of terrorism is coming to an end," he told reporters after the APEC summit.

"The most important thing now is to finish up this effort and to fix agreements on the de-escalation zones, to establish a ceasefire, and to set up conditions for starting a political process," he said.

The Russian president said "this is also aimed the joint Russian-American statement."

"I believe, it would be a key factor in working on a settlement to the Syrian quagmire," he added.

Earlier on Saturday, Putin and US President Donald Trump during the APEC summit agreed on a joint statement on Syria.

Putin considers his joint statement with US President Trump on Syria extremely important for the US, Russia and other countries.

"I consider it [the statement] important, as it stresses some absolutely fundamental things. First of all, continuing the fight against terrorism, this is extremely important both for the United States, specifically after the recent tragic events, which occurred there, and were connected with terrorist attacks," he stated at a news conference after the APEC summit. "It is equally important for us [Russia], for the country, which has been facing this problem for quite some time, it is also important for the entire international community."

"The war on terror will continue, and most importantly, as a joint effort," he said.

"As for Syria, I consider it extremely crucial that we have confirmed its territorial integrity and sovereignty," Putin continued. "We have agreed once the fight against terror is wrapped up, after the terrorist threat is eliminated from there we will move towards a political settlement under the auspices of the United Nations Organization."

Earlier on Saturday, Putin and Trump agreed a joint statement on the Syrian settlement.