Russia ready to consider Syria’s request to send troops if Damascus asks for it - Kremlin spokesman

SOCHI, September 18. /TASS/. Russia will consider Syria’s request to send troops if Damascus asks for it, but it is hard to talk about hypothetically, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday. Answering a question on whether Russia will agree to send troops to participate in military operations together with the Syrian army, Peskov said: "If there is a request, than in the framework of bilateral contacts, in the framework of bilateral dialogue, it will, of course, be discussed and considered. For now, it is rather difficult to speak hypothetically." Earlier today, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem told Russian state television that Damascus "will ask Russia to send troops to fight alongside the Syrian army if necessary." "If needed, Syria will address Russia with this request without hesitation," Muallem noted adding that "there are currently not Russian forces in Syria." "From the start of the conflict, Russia has been helping us, and it was never late with its help," the foreign minister added. Muallem stressed that Russia’s firm position on the matter has more and more influence on changing approaches to the Syrian crisis in the West. "We will welcome any political settlement that will come through the Russian or Iranian door," the foreign minister noted. Read more