RT reported that President Vladimir Putin quoted the famous quote by writer Mark Twain as "very exaggerated" to refute comments about Russia's weakening after the collapse of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.
Responding to NBC reporters at his annual year-end press conference on December 19, Mr. Putin rejected the argument that the situation in Syria and the conflict in Ukraine affected his position in meetings with US President-elect Donald Trump.
On the contrary, Mr. Putin affirmed that Russia has become stronger in the past 2-3 years, and the collapse of the Assad regime does not harm Russia's role in the region.
Mr. Putin stressed that Russia's defense industry has been significantly strengthened, and the military experience accumulated from the conflict in Ukraine has helped the Russian army improve its war preparation capabilities.
Mr Putin said Russia was considering long-term plans for military bases in Syria, including the Khmeimim air base currently used to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria.
The Russian President continued to share that Moscow's core goal in Syria has been achieved, helping Syria escape the risk of becoming a terrorist base thanks to timely military intervention nearly 10 years ago.
Mr. Putin also noted that the Russian military never deployed ground forces in Syria and had withdrawn special forces from the region, stressing that its role in the recent crisis was very limited.
