Russia has hosted the newly appointed U.S. special envoy for Syria amid intensifying international efforts to end the country’s four-year civil war.
Michael Ratney, who was appointed to his position last month, met with President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov, in Moscow on August 28.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said the two exchanged views on “efforts to facilitate a swift political and diplomatic resolution of the Syrian crisis and the challenges of the prospective fight against the terror threat."
Moscow, an ally of Syrian President Bashad al-Assad, has hosted several Middle Eastern leaders in recent weeks as it seeks a greater role in mediating in the region, especially in the Syrian conflict and in efforts to combat Islamic State militants.