Putin's 'Syria' statement days later: 'We were not defeated'

Russian President Vladimir Putin made statements at his traditional annual year-end press conference in the capital, Moscow.

Speaking about the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime following the 13-year civil war in Syria, Putin announced that he plans to meet with the ousted president, who has taken refuge in Russia.

Stating that he would also ask Assad about the American journalist kidnapped in Syria, the Russian leader emphasized that Russia was not defeated in Syria and that they had achieved their goals there, saying, "Russia evacuated 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria. We have relations with all groups in Syria."

'WE WILL EVALUATE OUR MILITARY BASES'

Reporting that they will evaluate the protection of Russian military bases in Syria, Putin said, "We told our allies to use our bases for humanitarian reasons. The same applies to the naval base in Syria."

News Source: 12punto