Putin: ‘Outcome of Fight Against Daesh Being Decided on Syrian Soil’

MOSCOW – Syria stands at the epicenter of the battle against the outlawed Daesh terrorist group while a solution to the crisis in the country is still far off, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Russian ambassadors and permanent representatives Thursday.

“Syria found itself at the epicenter of the fight against terrorism. It is no exaggeration to say that the fate of this country does not only influence the future of the Middle East. The outcome of the fight against Daesh is being decided on Syrian soil,” Putin said.

 “It is clear that a final settlement is still very, very far off, but the experience gained over the last few months in Syria demonstrated that only by joining efforts toward the creation of a broad anti-terrorist front urged by Russia we can successfully confront today’s threats,” he reassured.

 Putin thanked Russian servicemen on Thursday for everything they had done to push back terrorists in Syria and preserve Syrian statehood.

“I want once again to thank our servicemen who have done everything to push back terrorists and prevent the illegitimate external forceful interference in Syria’s affairs and preserve the very Syrian statehood,” Putin said.

H.M