© Mikhail Metzel/TASSEmir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We are very glad to have an opportunity to meet with you and talk about our bilateral relations and about the situation in the region with you and your colleagues," Putin said adding that "the situation in the region is not easy, some can even say difficult."
The president noted that Russia knows the Kuwaiti leader very well as he has long served as the country's Foreign Minister. "However, this is your first visit to our country as the head of state, and we are very happy about it," Putin stressed.
Kuwait agrees with Russia on Syria and fight against terrorism
First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah has confirmed his agreement with Russia's stance on combating terrorism and on the situation in Syria and other countries of the Middle East.
"My colleague and friend [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov] has already said that we do agree on all the issues that were raised having in mind Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Libya, the Middle East settlement and the fight against terrorism," Kuwait's foreign minister told reporters following the Russian-Kuwaiti summit.
He noted that Kuwait found the exchange of views with Russia on these issues very valuable, since Moscow knows perfectly well the realities of the Middle East region.
Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah said that the relations between the two countries had always been marked by mutual respect and concord. He added that the participants in the talks had discussed practically all issues of bilateral cooperation, and numerous agreements had been signed after the talks.
"We have a sincere desire and aspiration to further advance relations with Russia in all areas. We will continue to work to deepen and strengthen cooperation," he said.
Russia and Kuwait call for immediate start of political process in Syria
Russia and Kuwait have called for immediate start of a political settlement in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the Russian-Kuwaiti summit talks on Tuesday.
"We have a common stance on the Syrian crisis. It is necessary to stop the military hostilities, end the bloodshed and start a political process as soon as possible between Syrian government representatives and all opposition groups," Lavrov stressed.
"We appreciate Kuwait's active role in mobilizing international aid for alleviating the humanitarian consequences of the Syrian crisis, especially in question of refugees," Lavrov said.
The Russian foreign ministry said that during the talks the heads of both countries discussed the situations in Iraq, Libya and Yemen. They also considered — with great concern — the years-long stalemate in the Middle East settlement, including the Palestinian problem.
"On the whole, our states have a common stance," the Russian foreign minister emphasized. "Any crisis in this region just like in any other part of the globe should be settled by the people of respective countries through active support of the world community, which should take account of the local realities," Lavrov stressed.
Fight against IS should be based on international law, without double standards
Uncompromising fight against the outlawed in Russia Islamic State terrorist organization is a priority for Russia and Kuwait, the Russian Foreign Minister said after Russian-Kuwaiti high-level talks.
"Our states share the view that any crisis should be settled by the peoples themselves with the active assistance of the international community that should nevertheless take into account the local realities," Lavrov said. "Of course, the number one priority for all of us is the uncompromising fight against the so-called 'Islamic State' and other terrorist groups," he said. "They threaten not only Syria and Iraq, but also other countries in the region, including Kuwait."
"We are certain that this evil can be defeated only by consolidated joint efforts based on international law, without double standards, in order to prevent the seizure of power by terrorists in that or other country of the region," the foreign minister said.
Comment: Russia is far from being isolated as the US likes to think.