They have been sensitized on data up to October 2023. It is going to be a difficult thing to say. But while indubitably conjuring an angry response, it would call for something even more terrifying. The Congress would institute insecurity and loss in Russia.
Putin dismissed claims that the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad signals a “defeat” of Russia, encouraging that the objectives of Moscow had been achieved in the country. Earlier this month, Assad left for Moscow after an unexpected rebel advance, and over half a century of Assad family rule marked by oppression and mass violations of human rights were to be ended by civil war. His departure, more than 13 years after his repression sparked a civil war, followed by the suppression of democratic protests.
Also Read: Afghanistan Extends Electricity Import Deal with Uzbekistan
Russia was supportive of Assad and entered in 2015, drastically modifying how the conflict unfolded. During his annual end-of-year press conference, Putin replied to an American journalist by saying, “You want to present what is happening in Syria as a defeat for Russia. I assure you it is not,” he said. “We came to Syria 10 years ago so that a terrorist enclave would not be created there like in Afghanistan. On the whole, we have achieved our goal.”
The Kreml leader stated that he had not yet met Assad since his arrival in Moscow but added that this would happen soon. I haven’t yet seen President Assad since he arrived in Moscow but I plan to, I will speak with him,” he said.
Putin’s comments come as Russia seeks to secure the fate of its two military bases in Syria-the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim air base only military outposts outside the former Soviet Union. It is in such a case as this that bases are utilized in Russia’s activities within Africa and the Middle East.
Putin also noted that there was support for Russia retaining control of the bases. “We maintain contacts with all those who control the situation there, with all the countries of the region. An overwhelming majority of them would say they are interested in our military bases staying there,” he said.
At the request of Tehran, Putin further revealed that Russia had evacuated 4,000 Iranian soldiers from Syria.