Russia’s anti-terror operation in Syria aimed at establishing peace - Putin

SOCHI, October 22 /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the aim of the Russian anti-terror operation in Syria was to establish peace and deliver a pre-emptive strike at terrorists. "We decided to start a Russian military operation in that country after receiving a request from the official Syrian authorities. I would like to re-emphasize that it is absolutely legitimate. Its single purpose is to contribute to establishing peace," Putin told a plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club. "The actions of the Russian military will produce the necessary positive impact on the situation and will help the official government to create conditions for subsequent actions in the sphere of political settlement," Putin stressed. "The anti-terror operation in Syria will help Moscow to deliver a pre-emptive strike at terrorists, who are also threatening Russia, and help all countries and peoples, who will certainly be in danger if these terrorists return to their homes," the president assumed. Read more