Russian involvement in the Syrian Civil War

The White House said on Sept.17 it was open to limited talks with Moscow following the controversial deployment of Russian troops and heavy weapons to war-torn Syria.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with Russian media he would only quit power if the Syrian people wanted him to and not under pressure from the West, a transcript of the interview published on Sept.16 showed. 

Washington warned Russia on Sept.15 that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has no role in coalition operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and must step down to allow a political settlement.

Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlio?lu will pay an official visit to Sochi on Sept. 16-17 following a visit to Azerbaijan, ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgiç has said.

Speaking at a press conference on Sept. 15, Bilgiç said the visit was part of political consultations between the two countries, but ministers will also discuss regional issues, such as Syria and Ukraine.

Russia will continue with military supplies to Syria, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies Sept. 13, two days after U.S. President Barack Obama said Russia had extended a strategy "doomed to failure" in Syria.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow will continue its supplies of military equipment to the Syrian government in the fight against terrorist groups.

Lavrov said this in a news conference on Friday, TASS news agency informs.

Russian aircraft are delivering military supplies to Syria as well as humanitarian aid, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.

Russian troops have arrived in Syria to aid the Assad regime in its battle against various rebel groups and against the “Islamic State”, Israel’s defense minister said Thursday.

Russia on Sept.10 denied it was ramping up its military presence in Syria, saying it was supplying its Middle Eastern ally with humanitarian aid and military equipment in accordance with existing contracts.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that Russian aircraft flying into Syria are delivering military supplies and humanitarian aid.

AP is reporting that he "shed no light on what the U.S. and NATO worry is a Russian military buildup at a Syrian airfield."