Putin: Russia’s Main Role in Syria is Completed

ST. PETERSBURG– Russia has completed its main mission during the military operation in Syria, which was to strengthen the Syrian statehood, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

“It is too early to say that some radical change happened there [Syria]. But it is obvious that we have completed our task there. It was, above all, to strengthen the statehood in Syria and the legitimate authorities,” Putin said, according to Sputnik.

 “It is noteworthy that after the pullout of a considerable part of our group the Syrian army goes ahead with active offensive operations and recaptures ever more communities with our support,” Putin said.

Russia’s operations in Syria helped in some degree to tune relations with leading world powers in the joint fight against terrorism, Vladimir Putin said.

 “Our active work in the fight against international terrorism to some degree actually helped tune our relations with leading powers in this important direction for all us in the fight against international terrorism,” Putin said during a media forum in St. Petersburg.

Mechanisms to control the “cessation of hostilities” agreement in Syria have been created and are constantly operating, Russian President said Thursday.

“We have created not only information exchange centers with the United States. Constant consultations are taking place and there are mechanisms operating… aimed at controlling the ceasefire. This work is carried out constantly,” Putin said at a media forum.

He pointed out it was essential to establish effective work for the sake of a political settlement in Syria. Consultations along these lines are already underway.

Russia began its aerial anti-terror campaign in Syria on September 30, 2015 at the request of Damascus. On March 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to start the withdrawal of the Russian air group from Syria, saying its assigned task had been completed.

Source: Sputnik / Itar Tass