Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad during their meeting in Moscow's Kremlin, January 25, 2005. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have signed a joint declaration on the further development of relations of friendship and cooperation between their two countries. REUTERS/ITAR-TASS/KREMLIN PRESS SERVICE CVI/JV – RTRLFP4