President Vladimir V. Putin stated on Thursday that Russia is still deliberating the future of its military bases in Syria, asserting that most Middle Eastern nations and ruling factions in Syria prefer Russia's continued presence.
"I don’t know — we’ll need to think about it," Mr. Putin remarked regarding the decision on the bases. He emphasized the need for Russia to align its interests with those political forces that currently control and will influence the future of Syria.
In his first comments about Syria since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, Mr. Putin sought to frame the situation as not a defeat for Russia, but rather as an opportunity to assert control over its future relationships in the region.
During his lengthy annual news conference, Mr. Putin expressed his readiness to engage in discussions with President-elect Donald J. Trump and criticized Russian security services for their failure to prevent the recent assassination of a general in Moscow.
Mr. Putin noted that Russia is maintaining contact with "all the groups that control the situation" in Syria and with "all countries" in the region. He claimed that the majority of these entities are interested in Russia's military bases remaining operational.
Analysts have suggested that Russia's status as a global power may have diminished following al-Assad's fall, particularly if it loses key military facilities in Syria, such as the Tartus naval base and Hmeimim air base, which have been critical for projecting influence in Africa and the Mediterranean.
Russia's military involvement in the Syrian civil war began in 2015, significantly aiding al-Assad's regime. However, following a recent unexpected rebel offensive, Mr. Putin reported that Iranian and pro-Iranian forces supporting al-Assad chose not to resist and instead sought assistance from Russia to evacuate.
In response to a question about his interactions with al-Assad, who has since relocated to Moscow, Mr. Putin indicated plans to meet with him and expressed intentions to inquire about the missing American journalist, Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012.
Mr. Putin mentioned that he had not communicated with Mr. Trump in over four years but expressed openness to dialogue, stating, "I’m ready for this, any time."
The annual news conference has become a significant event for Mr. Putin, showcasing his engagement with both global issues and domestic concerns. It is often contrasted with Western leaders, whom Russian state media frequently portrays as disconnected from their citizens.
Mr. Putin also addressed the assassination of Russian general Igor Kirillov, describing it as a failure of the security services and referencing prior security lapses. He emphasized the need for improvements to prevent such incidents.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Mr. Putin reiterated his willingness to engage in dialogue without preconditions, while also asserting that negotiations must reflect the current realities on the ground. He reiterated that discussions should refer to a draft agreement previously discussed in Istanbul in March 2022, which proposed Ukraine as a neutral state.