Putin lauds his troops’ role in Syria
by Ilya Arkhipov,
2016-03-18 06:30:22.0
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia’s military operation in Syria had created "conditions for the start" of peace talks to help resolve the country’s five-year war, even as he warned that his forces could return rapidly, if needed.
Russia had demonstrated leadership, will, and responsibility by sending forces to Syria to fight terrorism and support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Mr Putin said at a military awards ceremony in the Kremlin on Thursday. The withdrawal of most of those forces, announced on Monday, was agreed with Mr Assad, who had been told in advance, he said.
The Russian military remaining in Syria could be reinforced "within a few hours, if necessary", although "we don’t want to do it", Mr Putin said. "Military escalation is not our choice."
Mr Putin, whose intervention in support of Mr Assad turned the tide in Syria’s civil war, ordered the partial pullout after more than five months of air strikes. The surprise move puts pressure on the Syrian government and opposition groups to reach a peace deal at talks that resumed in Geneva this week.
Russia has urged Mr Assad’s administration to be "constructive" in the negotiations to end a conflict that has killed a quarter-million people, sparked a refugee exodus to Europe, and allowed Islamic State (IS) to gain a foothold.
"The road to peace was opened by you — the soldiers of Russia," he told military officials and pilots who had participated in the Syrian campaign.
The Russian S-400 air-defence system was remaining in Syria and nobody had the right to violate the country’s airspace, Mr Putin said.
Russia’s partners have been told that its defences would deal "with any target we consider a threat to Russian military forces — I want to emphasise this — any target," he said.
Russia strengthened air defences after Turkish fighters shot down a Russian bomber near the border with Syria in November. Turkey accused Russia of violating its airspace, which Russia denied.
The incident plunged relations between the two countries into crisis and Mr Putin said Mr Assad was showing "restraint, a genuine desire for peace and a readiness for compromise and dialogue". Russia’s major goal in Syria was to fight terrorism and it would continue to help the government fight IS, he said.
Bloomberg
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a ceremony in Moscow on Thursday to present awards to service personnel who distinguished themselves during their missions in Syria. Picture: REUTERS/ALEXEI NIKOLSKY
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia’s military operation in Syria had created "conditions for the start" of peace talks to help resolve the country’s five-year war, even as he warned that his forces could return rapidly, if needed.
Russia had demonstrated leadership, will, and responsibility by sending forces to Syria to fight terrorism and support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Mr Putin said at a military awards ceremony in the Kremlin on Thursday. The withdrawal of most of those forces, announced on Monday, was agreed with Mr Assad, who had been told in advance, he said.
The Russian military remaining in Syria could be reinforced "within a few hours, if necessary", although "we don’t want to do it", Mr Putin said. "Military escalation is not our choice."
Mr Putin, whose intervention in support of Mr Assad turned the tide in Syria’s civil war, ordered the partial pullout after more than five months of air strikes. The surprise move puts pressure on the Syrian government and opposition groups to reach a peace deal at talks that resumed in Geneva this week.
Russia has urged Mr Assad’s administration to be "constructive" in the negotiations to end a conflict that has killed a quarter-million people, sparked a refugee exodus to Europe, and allowed Islamic State (IS) to gain a foothold.
"The road to peace was opened by you — the soldiers of Russia," he told military officials and pilots who had participated in the Syrian campaign.
The Russian S-400 air-defence system was remaining in Syria and nobody had the right to violate the country’s airspace, Mr Putin said.
Russia’s partners have been told that its defences would deal "with any target we consider a threat to Russian military forces — I want to emphasise this — any target," he said.
Russia strengthened air defences after Turkish fighters shot down a Russian bomber near the border with Syria in November. Turkey accused Russia of violating its airspace, which Russia denied.
The incident plunged relations between the two countries into crisis and Mr Putin said Mr Assad was showing "restraint, a genuine desire for peace and a readiness for compromise and dialogue". Russia’s major goal in Syria was to fight terrorism and it would continue to help the government fight IS, he said.
Bloomberg
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