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Vladimir Putin has denied that Moscow has been defeated in Syria, saying that despite the imposition of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the Kremlin has achieved its goals in the country.
During the press conference of the annual race, the Russian president played the role of Moscow Syriadenying the importance of the military support it had given for years to maintain Assad's regime.
“I assure you this is not the case,” Put in he said when asked if Assad fled to Moscow earlier this month, he must turn back. “We came to Syria 10 years ago to prevent a terrorist base from being established there. . . All in all, we have achieved our goals.”
Russia scrambled to pull hundreds of military and diplomatic personnel out of Damascus after Syrian rebel forces overran the country in just days. The future of its two military bases in Syria is currently uncertain.
Russia began a major, costly intervention in Syria's civil war in 2015, deploying thousands of troops and extensive air support to change the course of the conflict in Assad's favor.
But on Thursday, Putin claimed that Russia “did not fight” in Syria and had no troops on the ground there, despite having large and important military bases in Hmeimim and Tartus.
As the 350 armed rebels advance in Aleppo, “the ground section is made by the Syrian army and – as we all know, there are no secrets here – some so-called pro-Iranian military”, said Putin.
These forces have simply left their positions, he said, adding that Russia has also evacuated 4,000 Iranian soldiers from Tehran through its Hmeimim base. He did not mention Russian airstrikes against rebel positions that have failed to halt their advance.
Russia is currently negotiating with rebel forces over the future of its two military bases. Recent satellite images of Hmeimim have revealed movements of weapons there consistent with the withdrawal of Russian troops.
“We maintain contact with all groups in Syria and in all countries in the region. They all say it would be better if we keep our bases there,” Putin said, but added that more talks are needed to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement between Russia and the new Syrian regime.
Losing the bases of Hmeimim and Tartus would tarnish Moscow's image as a world leader and present a major strategic problem. These two areas are important logistics centers for Russia's other operations in the Mediterranean and its operations in Africa as a whole.
Putin said he had not yet met with Assad in Moscow but was willing to do so.
He also said that he is ready to meet the US president-elect Donald Trump. “I haven't spoken to him for more than four years. I am ready to do so at any time,” Putin said.
He denied that such a conversation would take place at a time when Russia was weakened by its decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, saying that in his view, Russia “has gotten stronger in the last two to three years.” “.
“The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated,” Putin shouted, to applause from the audience, quoting a quote attributed to author Mark Twain.