Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he agreed with U.S. proposals to incorporate parts of the opposition into the current Syrian government, saying President Bashar al-Assad agreed there was a need for a political process.

Putin, speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, said the most important thing for Syria was not for Assad to establish control over territory but for overall faith in the authorities to be restored.

He said it was inevitable Syria would collapse if things continued as they were, saying that would be the worst case scenario.