Berlin, June 2 (Xinhua-RHC) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that they favor a political solution for Syria and agreed to work with other countries to prevent the worsening of the crisis.

Speaking at a press conference after bilateral talks with the German chancellor in Berlin, Putin reiterated that Russia does not support any party in the ongoing conflict in Syria; adding that Russia wants to help UN-Arab League joint envoy Kofi Annan achieve “positive results” in Syria, and “believe a political solution could be found.”

Meanwhile, Merkel said Annan’s plan could be a starting point for a political solution to the Syria crisis, but added, “We must work with all energy to implement this plan and develop additional political activities if necessary.”

Moscow has been under pressure from western countries to harden its position on the conflict in Syria. Several European countries expelled Syrian diplomats from their countries after the recent killings of civilians in the central Syrian town of Houla.

The Syrian government categorically denied involvement in the massacre and blamed armed groups of carrying out the killings to tarnish the Syrian administration and call in foreign military intervention.

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