(VOVworld) - First deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Defense Committee Andrey Krasov said that Russia ensures its presence in the Middle East by expanding the Navy base in Syria’s Tartus.

Krasov said that Russia needs this base to be present in this region, reminding that Syria has always been the strategic partner of Russia and USSR. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier ordered to sign an agreement with Syria on expanding the Russian naval base’s territory in the Syrian port city of Tartus. He tasked the Russian Defense Ministry to hold negotiations with the Syrian side together with the Russian Foreign Ministry and sign the document on behalf of Russia.