Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the troops at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria, on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. Declaring a victory in Syria, Putin on Monday visited a Russian military air base in the country and announced a partial pullout of Russian forces from the Mideast nation. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
MOSCOW (AP) - President Vladimir Putin was seeking to save his ally from imminent collapse when Russia launched a military campaign in Syria two years ago.
He has since achieved that and more, emerging as a key stakeholder in the Middle East, one who has brokered deals with many of its key players - from Iran to Saudi Arabia to Turkey and Israel.
Russia's regional footprint today comes with a degree of clout that even the Soviet Union, which depended on a handful of Arab allies, couldn't dream of during the Cold War era.
Putin's success in the region was on full display on Monday, with the confident and upbeat leader moving between Syria, Egypt and Turkey in a whirlwind tour days announcing he will seek re-election for another six-year term in March.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, watches the troops marching as he and Syrian President Bashar Assad visit the Hemeimeem air base in Syria, on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. Declaring a victory in Syria, Putin on Monday visited a Russian military air base in the country and announced a partial pullout of Russian forces from the Mideast nation. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi, leave a news conference following their talks in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, pool)
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Syrian President Bashar Assad, 2nd right, meet with military personnel at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria, on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. Declaring a victory in Syria, Putin on Monday visited a Russian military air base in the country and announced a partial pullout of Russian forces from the Mideast nation. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands after a press conference during their meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. Declaring a victory against "terrorists" in Syria, Putin earlier on Monday visited a Russian military air base in the country and announced a partial pullout of Russian forces from the Mideast nation. (Alexei Druzhinin/Pool Photo via AP)
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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, escorts Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, as he leaves their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. The two men met Monday evening to discuss developments in Syria and the Middle East, as well as bilateral relations, according to the Turkish President's office. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
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Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, listens to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, during a joint news statement following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. The two men met Monday evening to discuss developments in Syria and the Middle East, as well as bilateral relations, according to the Turkish President's office. (Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press