Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, at the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday strongly defended Moscow’s military assistance to the Syrian government, saying it’s impossible to defeat the Islamic State group without cooperating with the Syrian government. (Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
MOSCOW (AP) — A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia would consider sending troops to fight in Syria if Damascus were to ask for it.
Russia on Thursday urged the United States and its allies to engage the Syrian government as a “partner” in the fight against the Islamic State group amid concerns over an ongoing Russian military buildup there.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem denied reports on Thursday that Russian combat troops were fighting in Syria but said Syria would not hesitate to ask for Russia’s help if needed.
Dmitry Peskov in comments to Russian news agencies on Friday said if such a request is made, it will be “discussed and considered,” but he insisted the question is purely hypothetical at this stage.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, at the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday strongly defended Moscow’s military assistance to the Syrian government, saying it’s impossible to defeat the Islamic State group without cooperating with the Syrian government. (Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) 
