Putin says Russia military not building long-term in Syria

Russia has no plans to pull its military out of Syria but is not building permanent facilities there, President Vladimir Putin said today in his annual marathon call-in show.

The troops will stay there for as long as it is to Russia's advantage, and to fulfil our international responsibilities," the Russian leader said during his annual televised call-in show. But, he added, "we are not building long-term installations there and if necessary can withdraw our servicemen quite quickly without any material losses."
Asked the best joke he had heard recently, Putin cited what he said was commentary in a German publication that Trump was "is pushing Europe right into Putin's hands. If we combine it with an earlier joke that Russia influenced the US election all that sounds quite funny."
Nearly two months ago, authorities began blocking the Russia-developed Telegram app over its refusal to share encryption data with intelligence agencies. That resulted in temporary blockage of some other websites. Asked whether Russia was considering blocking other popular apps or websites, Putin said authorities "are not going to shut down anything."