During Mideast tour, Putin declares ‘victory’ in Syria
CAIRO — Russian President Vladimir Putin declared “victory” in Syria during a surprise visit Monday to a military base there, then traveled to Egypt and Turkey, where he celebrated Moscow’s deepening ties with those key regional powers.
Speaking to Russian troops on the tarmac at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria, Putin talked of the triumph over “terrorists” and announced a partial pullout of Russian troops.
“You have shown the best qualities of a Russian soldier — courage, valor, team spirit, decisiveness and excellent skills,” he said in televised remarks to the troops. “The Motherland is proud of you.”
Putin praised Russia’s effort to help President Bashar Assad’s forces to gain the upper hand over the Islamic State group and Syrian rebels.
Putin also said that he had ordered the military to withdraw a “significant part” of the Russian contingent in Syria — although he has announced Russian troop withdrawals before.
“Friends, the Motherland is waiting for you,” he said. “You are coming back home with victory!”
Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the Russian commander in Syria, said the military will pull out 23 warplanes, two helicopter gunships, special forces units, military police and field engineers. He did not specify how many troops and weapons would remain.
The Pentagon expressed skepticism about the statements on the withdrawal of troops and equipment from Syria. Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said Russian statements “do not often correspond” with actual troop reductions. He said the withdrawal comments will have no impact on the U.S. and coalition fight against Islamic State extremists.
Putin’s whirlwind trip to Syria, Egypt and Turkey came at a time when leaders in the Middle East and beyond have criticized a decision last week by U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, upending decades of U.S. policy.
Speaking at a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Putin said the U.S. move “doesn’t help the Mideast settlement and, just the other way round, destabilizes the already difficult situation in the region.”
The decision might “finish prospects for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process,” Putin said, standing next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Putin is hoping his trip will stoke national pride among voters in the March 18 presidential election. With his approval ratings topping 80 percent, Putin is certain to win easily, but the Kremlin has been worried about growing voter apathy.