Putin calls on 'illegitimately' deployed forces in Syria to leave

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the forces illegitimately deployed in Syria must leave to restore the territorial integrity of the country. The statement of Putin, given to a Russian television network, comes in the wake of the recent Turkish operation against Kurdish fighters in Syria, which escalated after the withdrawal of US troops from northeastern Syria. Putin explicitly mentioned Iran and Turkey and said that he is discussing it openly with both the countries.

Russia ready to leave Syria on "legitimate" request

Putin even went ahead to say that if Syria’s new “legitimate” government would choose not to have Russia’s military presence on its soil, it will be “ just as true for Russia”, hinting that Russian troops will pull back. In an apparent remark on attacks on Saudi oil facilities, Putin emphasized such actions will not affect the cooperation between Russia, Saudi Arabia and UAE. He said that anyone who thinks that it will undermine Russia’s cooperation with OPEC plus is “profoundly wrong”. Putin stressed the need for dialogue among countries to iron out differences. He said that in the case of bilateral issues, it is up to those countries to resolve.

Read: US Going Into Middle East Was The Worst Decision Ever': Donald Trump

US policy on the Middle East

After US President Donald Trump pulled back the troops from northeastern Syria, he said that going into the Middle East was the worst decision ever made in the history of the country.

Read: UN Chief Expresses 'deep Concern' Over Turkish Offensive In Syria

Trump's threat to destroy Turkey's economy

The US President had warned Turkey for doing anything that is “considered to be off-limits” and threatened to “totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey”. He said, though the US troops are in the process of leaving Syria, they have not abandoned the Kurds calling them ‘special and wonderful’ fighters. Trump also clearly stated that the US is helping the Kurds financially and with weapons. Meanwhile, Turkey, in an apparent reply to Donald Trump’s warning, said that they will go ahead with their military operations in northeastern Syria.

Read: US Troops Withdrawn From North-eastern Syria Before Turkish Operation

Read: Turkish Forces Advance In Syria As US Troops Come Under Fire

(with inputs from agencies)