President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia was not planning to withdraw from Syria for now, adding that the military would stay there for as long as it was in Russia's interest.
"We are not yet planning a withdrawal of these military forces," Putin told a televised phone-in session.
Putin also said there was no need for any major military operations in Syria involving Russia's armed forces and that Russia could leave the country quickly if necessary.
Moscow has sent an undisclosed number of military advisers, pilots, technical staff and military police to Syria.
Putin stressed that Russia's air base at Hemeimeem and the naval base in Tartous, which he said are important for helping the Syrian government, do not host any permanent facilities.
