Vladimir Putin defends Russia’s military aid to Syria

Russian president Vladimir Putin has strongly defended Moscow’s military aid to the Syrian government, saying it is impossible to defeat the Islamic State group without co-operating with Damascus.

Putin’s statement comes amid the signs of an ongoing Russian military buildup in Syria, which the US says signals Moscow’s intention to set up an air base there.

Speaking at a meeting of heads of states at a Moscow-dominated security alliance of former Soviet nations in Tajikistan, Putin urged others to follow Russia’s example and offer military support to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s government.