Guterres congratulates Putin on winning presidential election

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his electoral victory in a phone call, the Kremlin said in a statement posted on its website.

The sides "touched on topical international issues". "While discussing the situation in Syria, [they] emphasized importance of the United Nations’ coordinating role in restoring peace and achieving a political solution in that state," the press service said. "The Russian side expressed readiness to continue assisting the UN-brokered Geneva process,"the statement says.

Antonio Guterres noted Russia’s particular contribution to global security and stability.

Besides, the invitation for Guterres to visit Russia was confirmed by Putin.