UPDATE - Russian president, Jordan’s king discuss Afghanistan, Syria, Palestine

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, MINOR EDITS

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on the sidelines of military-technical forum Army-2021 held in the suburbs of the capital Moscow on Monday.

Opening the meeting, Putin said relations between Russia and Jordan have been developing in all directions.

He said they will also discuss bilateral cooperation as well as the situation in Afghanistan and Syria.

For his part, Abdullah said he believes Russia and Jordan can play a stabilizing role in Syria.

He also stressed the need to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“I must mention your important role in the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And I think that now it really is time for the Palestinians to start a new life,” he said.

Putin and Abdullah also visited an exhibition in which Russia’s latest weapons and military equipment were put on display.

“Direct contact with colleagues from the armed forces of other countries brings us closer and increases the level of trust. Perhaps this is even more important than the display of weapons, although this is also important for strengthening stability,” the Russian president said.

Putin also welcomed the cooperation between Russia and Jordan in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, saying the two countries continue to work together to overcome the pandemic and its fallouts.