Russia has no plans for now to deploy combat troops in Syria, President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday, addressing U.S. concerns about a Russian military build-up.
In an interview with U.S. television networks recorded ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, Putin said the aim of Russia's military presence in Syria was to support the government of President Bashar al-Assad against terrorist groups.
"Russia will not take part in any field operations on the territory of Syria or in other states; at least, we do not plan it for now," he said in a transcript of the interview with U.S. television networks CBS and PBS released by the Kremlin.
Putin says Russia has no plans to deploy combat troops in Syria | Reuters