"I would like to confirm that Russia will keep supporting the government of the Syrian Arab Republic in its bid to defend the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as to ensure national security and internal stability," Putin said in a message published by the Kremlin.
The Russian and Syrian presidents exchanged messages to mark the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Russia.
President Putin stressed that a deeper Russian-Syrian relationship was beneficial to both nations, as it underpinned regional and international peace and stability.