In the wake of recent developments signaling a shift in Syria's power dynamics, President Putin claimed Russia's military presence might still be needed, although uncertainty looms regarding the fate of key military bases.
Putin Addresses Russian Military Presence in Syria Amidst Turbulent Changes
Putin Addresses Russian Military Presence in Syria Amidst Turbulent Changes
Russian President Vladimir Putin discusses the future of Russia's military bases in Syria, emphasizing the need for strategic alignment with local forces.
In a news conference held on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin navigated the intricate situation in Syria, where the regime of his close ally, Bashar al-Assad, faced a dramatic collapse. Acknowledging the landscape's changes since the ousting of Assad on December 8, Putin indicated that Russia was contemplating its military strategy and the potential retention of its bases in Syria.
He characterized the altered political situation as not necessarily a setback for Russia, asserting that many Middle Eastern states and factions within Syria expressed a desire for Russian presence to continue. "I don’t know — we’ll need to think about it," Putin remarked, underscoring the importance of aligning Russia's interests with those in control of Syria's future.
Despite his attempts to cast the changes in a positive light, analysts argue that Russia's global standing may decline, particularly if it loses key installations such as the Tartus naval base and Hmeimim air base, which have been critical for Russian influence across Europe and the Mediterranean. Since its military intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015, Russia has actively supported Assad's regime through relentless airstrikes.
In statements regarding the recent rebel offensive, Putin noted that Iranian and pro-Iranian fighters supporting Assad had not resisted the advancing rebels but instead sought Russian assistance to evacuate from the conflict-ridden nation. This scenario raises questions about the future of Russia’s involvement and influence in a country where the balance of power is swiftly changing.
He characterized the altered political situation as not necessarily a setback for Russia, asserting that many Middle Eastern states and factions within Syria expressed a desire for Russian presence to continue. "I don’t know — we’ll need to think about it," Putin remarked, underscoring the importance of aligning Russia's interests with those in control of Syria's future.
Despite his attempts to cast the changes in a positive light, analysts argue that Russia's global standing may decline, particularly if it loses key installations such as the Tartus naval base and Hmeimim air base, which have been critical for Russian influence across Europe and the Mediterranean. Since its military intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015, Russia has actively supported Assad's regime through relentless airstrikes.
In statements regarding the recent rebel offensive, Putin noted that Iranian and pro-Iranian fighters supporting Assad had not resisted the advancing rebels but instead sought Russian assistance to evacuate from the conflict-ridden nation. This scenario raises questions about the future of Russia’s involvement and influence in a country where the balance of power is swiftly changing.
