Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is encouraged by the peace process seeking to put an end to the war in Syria.

Russia along with Turkey and Iran sponsored talks in the Kazakh capital Astana bringing together the Syrian government and the opposition. The next round of the talks is set for later this month.

Speaking at a security summit in Kazakhstan Friday, Putin hailed the talks as providing “a genuine chance to strengthen the cease-fire and give impetus” to UN-brokered talks in Geneva.

Source: AP