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| Cameron and Putin to discuss Syrian conflict in talks in Sochi | Cameron and Putin to discuss Syrian conflict in talks in Sochi |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| David Cameron is to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Friday, set to be dominated by the conflict in Syria. | David Cameron is to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Friday, set to be dominated by the conflict in Syria. |
| The two leaders are meeting at Mr Putin's summer residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. | The two leaders are meeting at Mr Putin's summer residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. |
| The UK has called on President Bashar al-Assad to step down and has said the current EU arms embargo may need to be lifted to help opposition forces. | The UK has called on President Bashar al-Assad to step down and has said the current EU arms embargo may need to be lifted to help opposition forces. |
| Russia, a key ally of Syria, opposes further action against Damascus. | Russia, a key ally of Syria, opposes further action against Damascus. |
| However, it recently agreed with Washington to convene an international conference to find a political solution to the conflict, which has cost at least 70,000 lives. | However, it recently agreed with Washington to convene an international conference to find a political solution to the conflict, which has cost at least 70,000 lives. |
| The UK has recognised the coalition of forces opposed to the Syrian government and has stepped up support, providing armoured vehicles and body armour as well as communications and medical supplies. | The UK has recognised the coalition of forces opposed to the Syrian government and has stepped up support, providing armoured vehicles and body armour as well as communications and medical supplies. |
| 'Political situation' | 'Political situation' |
| The BBC's Moscow correspondent Daniel Sandford said the two countries hoped to establish some "common ground" on Syria ahead of the meeting of G8 leaders in Northern Ireland next month and amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent weeks aimed at ending the two-year conflict. | |
| Russia, a historic supporter of the Assad dynasty, is concerned about the prospect of a political vacuum in the event of the government's collapse and the rise of Islamist extremist groups. | Russia, a historic supporter of the Assad dynasty, is concerned about the prospect of a political vacuum in the event of the government's collapse and the rise of Islamist extremist groups. |
| The UK has acknowledged that there are some extremist elements fighting alongside more moderate opposition forces, but it says only a political transition can bring long-term stability to Syria. | The UK has acknowledged that there are some extremist elements fighting alongside more moderate opposition forces, but it says only a political transition can bring long-term stability to Syria. |
| Our correspondent said the UK would be stressing the need to a bring an end to the bloodshed at a time when recent developments - including Israel air strike on targets in Syria and growing concerns about the possible use of chemical weapons - risk bringing the conflict into an even more dangerous phase. | Our correspondent said the UK would be stressing the need to a bring an end to the bloodshed at a time when recent developments - including Israel air strike on targets in Syria and growing concerns about the possible use of chemical weapons - risk bringing the conflict into an even more dangerous phase. |
| The Syrian authorities say the Israeli strikes on army targets earlier this month show it is co-ordinating with militants to destabilise the government but Israel said it was targeting weapons bound for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. | The Syrian authorities say the Israeli strikes on army targets earlier this month show it is co-ordinating with militants to destabilise the government but Israel said it was targeting weapons bound for Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. |
| 'Strained' | 'Strained' |
| A Foreign Office spokesman said the UK had taken no decision on whether it would seek to end the EU arms embargo when it is considered at the end of the month. | A Foreign Office spokesman said the UK had taken no decision on whether it would seek to end the EU arms embargo when it is considered at the end of the month. |
| "There is likely to be a strong case for further amendments to the EU sanctions regime - or lifting it altogether - if the situation remains as it is or gets worse," he said. | "There is likely to be a strong case for further amendments to the EU sanctions regime - or lifting it altogether - if the situation remains as it is or gets worse," he said. |
| "We need to find ways to increase pressure on the regime to accept a political solution and ensure we have flexibility to react to the deteriorating situation on the ground." | "We need to find ways to increase pressure on the regime to accept a political solution and ensure we have flexibility to react to the deteriorating situation on the ground." |
| Relations between the UK and Russia were strained for many years after Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko's death in London in 2006 - a period in which there were no meetings between Mr Putin and senior British ministers. | Relations between the UK and Russia were strained for many years after Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko's death in London in 2006 - a period in which there were no meetings between Mr Putin and senior British ministers. |
| But Mr Cameron visited Moscow in 2011 and Mr Putin came to London last year - where the two watched a judo bout at the London Olympics - as the countries sought to broaden their trade and security links. | But Mr Cameron visited Moscow in 2011 and Mr Putin came to London last year - where the two watched a judo bout at the London Olympics - as the countries sought to broaden their trade and security links. |