Putin spoke about the Russian military presence in Syria – RBC

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to an American journalist Charlie Rose

Photo: kremlin.ru

The Russian president explained the Russian military presence in Syria in an interview with US journalist Charlie Rose for CBS television network and PBS. Putin stressed that Russia’s presence in Syria is based on the fundamental principles of contemporary international law.

«We proceed from the UN Charter, that is, of the fundamental principles of contemporary international law, according to which aid one or the other, including and military aid, can and should be provided only legitimate government of various countries, with their consent, or at their request or by decision of the UN Security Council “- quoted by Interfax quotes the president in an interview with Rose.

According to Russian President, in this case, the request of the Syrian government on the provision of military and technical assistance. “What we are doing in the framework of an absolutely legitimate international contracts,” – he added.

The Russian presence in Syria expressed “in the supply of weapons to the Syrian government, in the training of staff, in providing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people,” the president said .

Putin stressed that Syria “is only one legitimate regular army” – an army of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. “And he is opposed, on the interpretation of some of our international partners, the opposition. In fact, in life, really the army of Assad is fighting with terrorist organizations “, – he said.

« You know better than me about the hearings that have just passed in the US Senate, if I’m not mistaken, where the military, the Pentagon, reported to the senators that the United States made for the preparation of the warhead of the opposition forces, “- he said to an American journalist. According to the president of Russia, the level of combat training Syrian opposition by the US military leaves much to be desired.

«The goal was to first prepare five or six thousand. Soldiers, then – 12 thousand. As a result, it became clear that prepared a total of 60, and in arms fighting only four or five people, and everyone else just ran across an American weapon in the LIH, “- he said.

The head of the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that Paris is hoping for a speedy clarification of the military intentions Russia in Syria. He also noted that the head of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad will not be able to play a role in the future political structure of the country.

«[Assad] has the responsibility for the current chaos. We would have doomed themselves to failure if the Syrian people would say that the future – for Assad, “- said Fabius at a press conference during the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.