4 Sep 2016 13:58

Russia helped Syria preserve its statehood - Putin

HANGZHOU, China. Sept 4 (Interfax) - Russian airstrikes helped Syria preserve its statehood and dealt a serious blow to terrorists, President Vladimir Putin said at an informal meeting of the leaders of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the Chinese city of Hangzhou on Sunday.

The most serious terror threat is in Syria, which is why "Moscow last year responded to Damascus' request to help it in the fight against terrorist groups," Putin said.

"The actions of the Russian Aerospace Forces helped deal a very serious blow to terrorists, their infrastructure, and preserve the Syrian statehood, which I think is an absolutely key element indeed," Putin said.