Russian President Vladimir Putin has mentioned he’s but to fulfill Syria’s Bashar Assad, who fled to Moscow after being ousted by anti-regime forces.
In his first public feedback for the reason that fall of the ex-Syrian dictator, Putin rejected claims his toppling was a “defeat” for Russia.
“You want to present what is happening in Syria as a defeat for Russia,” Putin mentioned in response to a query from a journalist. “I assure you it is not … we have achieved our goals.”
His feedback got here on the annual news convention held Thursday, the place Putin additionally mentioned he supposed to speak to Assad with out specifying when.
The Russian President additionally mentioned that he was prepared for talks “anytime” with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has touted his capability to strike a Ukraine peace deal inside hours of coming to workplace.
Trump, who will return to the White House in January, has stoked fears in Kyiv that he may drive Ukraine to simply accept peace on phrases favorable to Moscow.
Holding his annual end-of-year press convention, the Kremlin chief mentioned his troops held the higher hand throughout the battlefield however was compelled to confess he doesn’t know when Russia will take again the western Kursk area the place Ukrainian troops launched an incursion in August.
The conventional annual query and reply classes, usually lasting hours, are largely a televised present whereas additionally being a uncommon setting wherein he’s placed on the spot and solutions some uncomfortable questions.
Asked about Trump’s overtures relating to a doable peace deal, Putin mentioned he would welcome a gathering with the incoming Republican.
“I don’t know when I’m going to see him. He isn’t saying anything about it. I haven’t talked to him in more than four years. I am ready for it, of course. Any time,” Putin mentioned.
“If we ever have a meeting with President-elect Trump, I am sure we’ll have a lot to talk about,” he mentioned, including that Russia was prepared for “negotiations and compromises.”
The Kremlin not too long ago welcomed Trump’s sharp criticism of President Joe Biden’s determination to permit Kyiv to make use of U.S.-supplied missiles to strike Russian territory – a serious escalation within the practically three-year battle.
Kursk offensive
Russia’s troops have been advancing in japanese Ukraine for months, with Putin repeatedly touting their prowess on the battlefield.
“We are moving towards resolving the primary aims that we set at the start of the special military operation,” Putin mentioned, utilizing Russia’s time period for the battle.
“Our guys are fighting heroically. The capabilities of the armed forces are growing.”
Moscow’s military in November superior at its quickest tempo in east Ukraine for the reason that first month of its 2022 assault.
But requested by a lady from the Kursk area when residents would be capable of return to their houses there, after hundreds had been evacuated from frontline areas amid the Ukrainian assault, Putin mentioned he couldn’t title a date.
“We will absolutely kick them out. Absolutely. It can’t be any other way. But the question of a specific date, I’m sorry, I cannot say right now,” he admitted.
Source: www.dailysabah.com