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Russia will continue Syrian campaign

Russian president Vladimir Putin has promised to continue military support of the Assad government in Syria and urged other countries to follow suit.

In recent days the US and several European nations have voiced concerns over reports Russia has been escalating its military support for the Syrian government.

But Mr Putin said other countries should supply military and technical assistance, as Moscow argues it is for the war against terrorists.

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He also said the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe would have been much worse if it was not for Russian support for the Assad regime.

Russia already has a naval base in Syria and US officials say there are signs they are planning an airbase as well.

A statement from the Kremlin said Mr Putin was, however, “open to dialogue” and a meeting with his US counterpart Barak Obama when he visits the United Nations headquarters later this month.

“President Putin is always open to dialogue, especially with his colleague president Obama,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said, adding that no such meeting had yet been agreed.

“There is a will [for dialogue] on Russia’s part and this will remain.”

The two leaders last met in November 2014 at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing.

Mr Putin is due to arrive in New York on September 28 to address the UN General Assembly.

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