The leaders of Russia and Kazakhstan underscored that the recent talks in Astana had given a serious impetus to the peace process in Syria.





MOSCOW (Sputnik)�� Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev for�Astana's contribution to�organizing Syrian settlement talks, the Kremlin's press service said Saturday.
"During today's phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked President of�Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev for�the great contribution of�the Kazakh partners to�the organization and holding of�an international meeting on�Syria on�January 23-24 in�Astana. Both sides underlined that a serious impetus was given to�the peace settlement of�the Syrian conflict," the press service said in�a statement.


Since 2011, Syria has been engulfed in�a civil war, with�government forces fighting against�numerous opposition and terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front and Daesh, banned in�a range of�countries, including Russia.


Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in�December that the Syrian government and armed opposition groups had reached an agreement on�a nationwide ceasefire in�Syria and on�readiness to�start peace talks.