Russia’s President Vladimir Putin says Russia is not planning to withdraw all of its troops from Syria, The Associated Press reported.

Russia launched its operation in Syria in 2015, tipping the war in favor of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Putin last December announced a scale-down of the Russian military presence there.

Speaking during his annual call-in show on Thursday, Putin said Russia "is not planning to withdraw all of its troops at this point" and that they will stay in Syria "as long as it benefits Russia."

“Our soldiers are located there to assure Russia's interests in this important region, situated very close to us. And they will stay there as long as it benefits Russia and in order to fulfill our international obligations. So far, we aren't planning to withdraw these regiments," he said. 

Moscow has sent an undisclosed number of military advisers, pilots, technical staff and military police to Syria.

"We don't build permanent facilities there (in Syria). So, if necessary, we can withdraw all our soldiers quickly without any material losses. But for now, they're needed there, they complete important tasks, including providing security for Russia in this region," Putin said.

Putin stressed that Russia's air base at Hemeimeem and the naval base in Tartous, which he said are important for helping the Syrian government, do not host any permanent facilities, which means the Russian military can be withdrawn quickly if necessary.