Russian Air Forces Operations to Continue as Long as Syria Needs Help

The Russian Aerospace Forces’ operation will continue in Syria as long as Syrian army will need our help, Russian President Vladimir Putin told journalists during his yearly press-conference.

The Russian Aerospace Forces will keep launching strikes against Daesh forces in Syria as long as the Syrian Army continues its ground military operation, Vladimir Putin said during a major press conference on Thursday, the Russian Sputnik reported.

 “We’ll keep launching airstrikes and supporting the Syrian Army offensive as long as the Syrian Army keeps conducting these operations,” Russian President said.

Putin also mentioned that the Russian Aerospace Forces also currently assist the Syrian armed opposition forces that fight against Daesh.

On September 30, Russia started launching precision airstrikes against Daesh and Jabhat al-Nusra assets in Syria. Since then, the Russian Aerospace Forces, aided by the ships of the Russia’s Caspian Flotilla and the Kilo-class submarine Rostov-on-Don of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, eliminated hundreds of terrorists.

Vladimir Putin said that Russia’s stance on Syria has not changed: Russia will not let any state impose their will.

The Russian president stressed that only Syrian people are to decide their own fate.

“I have repeatedly stated and I am ready to stress once again: we will never agree with the idea that a third party, whoever this party is, has the right to impose its will on another country. This does not make any sense. This is a violation of international legal standards,” Putin said.

Vladimir Putin also added that he discussed  the Syrian crisis with John Kerry during his Moscow visit.

“As soon as we notice the political process has begun, and the Syrian government decides it is time to stop the airstrikes, [we are going to stop]. We are not going to be more Syrians than Syrians themselves. We don’t need this, do we? The sooner it [the process] starts the better,” Putin said.

Putin added that Russia will support any Syria till the political process starts as it is very important to get all parties concerned to negotiate.  

“We shall continue launching airstrikes and supporting the offensive of the Syrian army as long as the Syrian army carries out these operations,” Putin said during his annual press conference.

Putin added that the Russian forces operating in Syria could be withdrawn in two days.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding a major end-of-the-year press conference, addressing the nation’s economic concerns and issues on the international agenda.