Putin: Russian military not building long-term bases in Syria

7 June 2018, 7:05 pm

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MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin says Russia has no plans to pull its military out of Syria, but isn’t building permanent facilities there.

The troops “will stay there for as long as it is to Russia’s advantage, and to fulfill our international responsibilities,” he says during his annual televised call-in show. But, he says, “we are not building long-term installations there and if necessary can withdraw our servicemen quite quickly without any material losses.”

Syria is Russia’s only military foothold in the Middle East, using leased facilities for ships at Tartus and for an air base in Hmeimim.

— AP