Russia’s task in Syria was to fight terrorism, prevent it from spreading - Putin

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russia’s task in Syria was struggle against terrorism and prevention of its expansion into Russian territory. "We identified the aims of the operation from the outset - support for the legitimate struggle of the Syrian army against terrorist groups," Putin said at a ceremony of presenting awards to Russian military servicemen who returned home recently after an assignment in Syria. Putin said that Russia’s operation in Syria had been "expected to last for the period of offensive operations against terrorists." "It was stated outright that we are not going to get involved in the intra-Syrian conflict," Putin said. "It goes without saying that it is up to the Syrians to make a final decision and to determine the country’s future," Putin said. "Terrorism was the main target of our operation," he reiterated. "The struggle against international terrorism is right and fair. It is a war on the enemies of civilization, on those who breed barbarity and violence, who try to ruin the meaning and importance of the great spiritual humanistic values the world stands upon," Putin said. "The main purpose of our actions in Syria is to stop this terrible global evil, to prevent terrorism from spilling over to Russia." He is certain that Russia has displayed "its indisputable leadership, willpower and responsibility." Putin reviewed some of the results of the operation in Syria. "Strenuous combat efforts turned the tide. We prevented the terrorist tumor from growing. We destroyed the bandits’ shelters, their arms and ammunition depots and blocked the routes of oil smuggling that had been the main source of financing. We have carried out tremendous work to bolster Syria’s legitimate authorities and statehood," Putin said, adding that he made an unequivocal statement to that effect at the UN General Assembly session in September 2015. He believes that the operation in Syria proved very helpful in strengthening the Syrian armed forces. "The Syrian army now is capable of not only stopping the terrorists, but also of mounting successful offensive operations against them. The Syrian army has taken the strategic initiative and it keeps regaining its land from terrorist groups," Putin said. He looked back on the situation in Syria before the beginning of the operation. "A large part of the country then was in the hands of terrorist groups. The situation was degrading. In full conformity with international law and at the request of the legitimate government and president a decision was made to begin our military operation," Putin recalled. Read more