Putin says Russia plans to enhance Syrian army’s fighting capacity

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. Enhancing the Syrian army’s fighting capacity is one of Russia’s short-term priorities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual televised question and answer session dubbed The Direct Line. "We plan to build a peaceful political process involving all parties to the conflict. Our short-term goal is to enhance the Syrian army’s fighting capacity and retreat to our Hmeimim and Tartus bases, leaving the Syrian troops to effectively achieve their aims," Putin said. "If the need arises to, say, use warplanes, we could support them in their fight against terrorist organizations. That is what our plans are," the Russian leader added. Read more