MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia can ramp up its military presence in Syria at short-notice when needed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
"When the decision to reduce our air grouping in Syria was taken, you remember the statements made by our military and the president, who said that the infrastructure is temporary and it is staying there. Therefore the grouping can be expanded very quickly if necessary," Peskov told reporters.
Russia conducted an aerial campaign in Syria from September 30, 2015 until March 14, 2016, when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdraw most of the country's military contingent after accomplishing its objective.
Russia also organized a center for Syrian reconciliation at the Hmeimim airbase that is a platform for negotiations between the Syrian government and militant groups willing to lay down arms.
