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Upper House of Russian Parliament Approves Use of Military Force Abroad Russia Approves Using Forces Abroad Amid Buildup in Syria
(34 minutes later)
MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia sought and won approval from the upper house of Parliament on Wednesday to use military force abroad, in what officials said was another step toward Russian troops joining the fight in Syria.MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia sought and won approval from the upper house of Parliament on Wednesday to use military force abroad, in what officials said was another step toward Russian troops joining the fight in Syria.
Mr. Putin has repeatedly emphasized that the use of Russian ground forces was not envisioned in the near term. But Russia has moved at least 32 combat aircraft to Syria, according to United States intelligence sources, and the measure quickly approved by the upper house, the Federation Council, on Wednesday authorized them to join the fight.Mr. Putin has repeatedly emphasized that the use of Russian ground forces was not envisioned in the near term. But Russia has moved at least 32 combat aircraft to Syria, according to United States intelligence sources, and the measure quickly approved by the upper house, the Federation Council, on Wednesday authorized them to join the fight.
The Kremlin has stepped up its aid to Syria over the past few months, mainly to bolster the position of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Russia’s main ally in the Middle East. On Wednesday morning, Mr. Putin’s chief of staff, Sergei B. Ivanov, said the authorization was for Russia’s Air Force, not ground troops, and was for an open-ended period. The Kremlin has stepped up its aid to Syria over the past few months, mainly to bolster the position of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Russia’s main ally in the Middle East. Mr. Putin’s chief of staff, Sergei B. Ivanov, told the Federation Council that the authorization was for the Russian Air Force, not ground troops, and was for an open-ended period.
“It will be air support for the Syrian forces in their struggle with ISIS,” Mr. Ivanov said, referring to the Islamic State. He added that it respected international law because Mr. Assad had requested the help. “It will be air support for the Syrian forces in their struggle with ISIS,” Mr. Ivanov said, referring to the Islamic State. He added that the move respected international law because Mr. Assad had requested the help.
Although approval by the Federation Council is generally considered a rubber stamp, a similar vote preceded the deployment of Russian forces in Ukraine in March 2014.Although approval by the Federation Council is generally considered a rubber stamp, a similar vote preceded the deployment of Russian forces in Ukraine in March 2014.