ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Massoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Region, said his stance on the Syrian government and other parties in that country depends on their attitudes toward the Kurdish case in the country.

"The Kurdistan region's position towards the Syrian government and other parties in the country depends on their stance about the Kurdish nation and to what extent they permit their rights," Barzani explained during a meeting with the Russian ambassador to Iraq, Elijah Anatolyevich Margonov, in Erbil according to a statement released by his office on Sunday.

The announcement also added that both parties discussed a range of ongoing issues in the region with special emphasis on the fight against terror.

Barzani said he appreciates the role Russia has been playing in the fight against terrorist groups operating in Syria, particularly the Islamic State (ISIS).

Margonov told him that his country is willing to increase its ties with the Kurdistan Region and help them in their fight against ISIS.

"Russia is ready to help the Peshmerga militarily in the fight against ISIS," he said.

Rudaw