Early to speak about Russia’s possible participation in anti-IS military operations - Putin

VLADIVOSTOK, September 4. /TASS/. It is early to speak about the possibility of Russia’s participation in military operations against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. "We consider various possibilities, but now what you have mentioned [participation in military operations] is not yet on our agenda," Putin told reporters at the Eastern Economic Forum. "We will hold consultations with our Syrian friends and the countries of the region," he said. "Speaking that we are ready to do it today is premature, but we are providing Syria with a rather serious support and equipment and training forces with armament," Putin stressed. The Russian president said this is "a separate topic" in the context of the fight against terrorism. He reminded that the US is carrying out its airstrikes on the IS targets now, but this has not produced any tangible result so far. Speaking on supporting Syria with armament, Putin said this concerns the contracts signed some five or seven years ago. "We are performing them in full," he said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday rejected media reports about possible participation of Russian Armed Forces in airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. "You should not believe these media reports," Peskov told journalists. Several foreign media outlets reported earlier that Russian aviation may take part in carrying out airstrikes against IS positions in Syria. Reports said equipment has already been transferred to conduct the operation. Read more