Moscow, Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected claims that Russia has been defeated in Syria following the ousting of his ally, Bashar al-Assad, earlier this month. Addressing the situation during his annual end-of-year press conference, Putin asserted that Russia had achieved its objectives in Syria, according to Al Jazeera.
“You want to present what is happening in Syria as a defeat for Russia. I assure you it is not … we have achieved our goals,” Putin said, reiterating that Russia’s intervention in 2015 was aimed at preventing the establishment of a terrorist enclave in the region.
He emphasized that Russia continues to maintain relations with all groups and countries in the region, adding that the majority support the continued presence of Russian military bases in Syria, which he described as serving “humanitarian purposes.”
Regarding the ousted Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad, Putin confirmed that he had not yet met with Assad, who fled to Moscow, but expressed his intention to do so. He also indicated plans to discuss the fate of missing US journalist Austin Tice during their meeting. The release of Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, has been described as a “top priority” by the White House.
Additionally, Putin acknowledged the evacuation of 4,000 Iranian fighters following the fall of the Assad government, underscoring Russia’s role in navigating the post-regime transition.
Meanwhile, Syria’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, has prioritized repatriating Syrian refugees as a key goal of his administration. Al-Bashir has pledged efforts to bring back millions of refugees living abroad as part of broader measures to restore stability in the war-torn nation.
This development marks a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape and the broader dynamics of the region, with Russia maintaining a prominent role despite changes in leadership.