Putin says Russian forces not to withdraw from Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that his country’s forces will not withdraw from Syria, emphasizing that they are “present to ensure Russia’s interests in this vital region of the world.”
Putin’s remarks came during his annual press conference, where he presents the results of 2023 to Russian journalists and citizens, according to official Russian-speaking media.
Putin added that as long as the presence of those military units is beneficial to Moscow, they will remain there.
Russian forces directly intervened in the Syrian war alongside the Syrian government forces on Sept. 30, 2015. They have two military bases in Syria – Khmeimim Airbase near the city of Latakia and another in the port of Tartus, on the Syrian coast.
The Russian president stressed that Russia “will not withdraw its forces from Syria.”
He said that Russia’s deployment sites in Syria are called “points” and not bases.
He added that his country “does not build long-term structures in Syria, and it can withdraw all its military personnel from Syria quickly and without any material losses if necessary.”