Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he is ready to "push" his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad towards introducing reforms in the war-torn country, while vowing to continue to support his ally. "We are ready to work with Assad so that he engages in a process of political change," Putin said at the Saint Petersburg International Eco**mic Forum. "We are ready to push President Assad so that he engages in discussions with the 'healthy' opposition with a view towards political reforms.