This is the Syrian President’s first state visit to Russia.
The welcome ceremony took place in the Grand Kremlin palace’s St George Hall. Mr Putin and Mr Assad and their wives came towards each other along a red carpet and shook hands. First Lady Lyudmila Putina, presented her Syrian counterpart, Asma Assad, with a bouquet of tea roses.
The two presidents then presented the members of their delegations. The Russian delegation includes Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko, Presidential Aide Sergei Prikhodko, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Regional Development Minister Vladimir Yakovlev, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and the heads of companies working with Syria.
The national anthems of Russia and Syria were played.