Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Syria peace mediator Kofi Annan on Tuesday that he would "do everything" to support the UN-Arab League envoy’s plan to end the conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Syria peace mediator Kofi Annan on Tuesday that he would "do everything" to support the UN-Arab League envoy's plan to end the conflict.
  
"From the very start, from the first steps, we supported and continue to support your efforts aimed at restoring civil peace," Putin told Annan at the start of their Kremlin meeting. "We will do everything that depends on us to support your efforts," the Russian leader said.
  
The international envoy replied that "the Syrian crisis is at a critical time" before the meeting was closed to the press.
  
Annan's first meeting with Putin since his May return to the Kremlin came one day before Western powers plan to hold a vote on a UN Security Council resolution that threatens sanctions against Damascus.
  
Russia has vowed to block the measure in the same manner that it has two previous resolutions that threatened any penalties against its Soviet-era ally.