Russian delegation in Syria to expand trade, economic ties Russia's deputy prime minister says a senior Russian delegation in Damascus has discussed the expansion of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries to circumvent U.S. sanctionsDAMASCUS, Syria -- Russia and Syria plan to sign an economic pact before the end of the year that is partly aimed at circumventing U.S. sanctions, Russia's deputy prime minister said Monday as he led a high-level delegation on a visit to Damascus. Borisov spoke at a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem in Damascus after the delegation met with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Syria faces an unprecedented economic crisis after nearly a decade of civil war and Western sanctions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is visiting Damascus for the first time since 2012, also attended the news conference. The U.N.'s envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called the talks a prospective “door-opener” to a final resolution of Syria’s long-running conflict.

Source: ABC News September 07, 2020 12:06 UTC