MOSCOW — Russia’s Vladimir Putin has met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in the Black Sea resort of Sochi ahead of a summit between Russia, Turkey and Iran and a new round of Syria peace talks in Geneva.

The Kremlin said in a statement released early on Tuesday that the two leaders held bilateral talks on Monday then met with Russian military chiefs.

Assad has only ventured outside his war-ravaged nation twice since the conflict began — both times to Russia. This week’s visit to meet Putin is his second since the crisis began in March 2011 leading to a civil war that has killed some 400,000 and resulted in millions of refugees.

The first was in October 2015, shortly after Russia launched its military campaign in Syria to shore up Assad’s forces. The Russian intervention has turned the war in favor of Assad.

Both presidents in their comments focused on various peace initiatives in Syria, and Putin said Russia is getting ready to scale down its operation in Syria.

“Regarding our joint operation to fight terrorists in Syria, this military operation is indeed coming to an end,” he told Assad in televised remarks. “I’m pleased to see your willingness to work with everyone who wants peace and settlement.”

Footage and photographs released by the Kremlin press office showed Putin giving Assad a warm embrace upon his arrival at Putin’s residence in Sochi.

The meeting came two days after Syrian troops and their allies captured the eastern town of Boukamal, the last major inha

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