Pavel Golovkin/AP
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said Monday he has ordered the withdrawal of the majority of Russian troops from Syria. The pullout, which he said was coordinated with Syrian President Bashar Assad, is slated to begin tomorrow.
Speaking in a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin said the objective of Russia's intervention — disrupting ISIS and other terror groups — had "been fulfilled," and had laid the groundwork for more intense peace talks.
"I believe that the task put before the defence ministry and Russian armed forces has, on the whole, been fulfilled," Putin said, according to the Guardian. "With the participation of the Russian military ... the Syrian armed forces and patriotic Syrian forces have been able to achieve a fundamental turnaround in the fight against international terrorism and have taken the initiative in almost all respects."
Russia has long been a supporter of Assad's regime. Critics of Russia's presence in the country say Russian troops were involved in fighting the Syrian opposition groups, not just terrorists.
Putin said that Russia's Hmeimim air base and its Mediterranean naval base would continue to operate normally.
President Obama spoke to Putin Monday afternoon, the White House said in a statement. They discussed Putin's announcement and the "next steps required to fully implement the cessation of hostilities with the goal of advancing the political negotiations on resolution of the conflict."
The statement said Obama "welcomed the much-needed reduction in violence since the beginning of the cessation, but stressed that continuing offensive actions by Syrian regime forces risk undermining" the peace process.
Other U.S. officials are tempering their reactions to the announcement, according to Reuters, saying they had seen no indications so far of preparations by Russia's military for the withdrawal.
Putin's announcement comes as a Russian and U.S.-brokered cease-fire that began last month has largely held, though the Syrian government and the opposition have each cited violations by the other side. ISIS and the al-Qaida branch operating in Syria are not part of the cease-fire agreement.
The withdrawal also comes amid peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year-old Syrian conflict.
Putin said Monday's move would send a "good signal" to the parties to the conflict, help raise trust and help serve as a stimulus for Syria's political talks, the Associated Press reports.
The talks are expected to focus on a political transition in Syria, which has been a major sticking point for the various parties. Russia and the Syrian regime have been adamant about keeping Assad in power, while the U.S. and Syrian opposition groups demand a new government.
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ReplyDeleteRussian President, Vladimir Putin, said Monday he has ordered the withdrawal of the majority of Russian troops from Syria. The pullout, which he said was coordinated with Syrian President Bashar Assad, is slated to begin tomorrow. Speaking in a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin said the objective of Russia's intervention — disrupting ISIS and other terror groups — had "been fulfilled," and had laid the groundwork for more intense peace talks (Putin Orders The Start Of Russian Troop Withdrawal From Syria). I believe this is good because ISIS is going to be practically impossible to stop because there are always going to be people that are going to join it and it's probably going to end up in a never ending war.
ReplyDelete"Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said Monday he has ordered the withdrawal of the majority of Russian troops from Syria.(Golovkin).¨ This is very good for the country of Syria. Im sure the people there were not happy with Russians being in there country and hopefully this withdrawal will be better for the Syrians.
ReplyDelete-Zach Potter per 5
I think that was a good idea for Russia to pull out of Syria. It saves lives, and brings more troops to safety. I agree with Obama's quote, "welcomed the much-needed reduction in violence since the beginning of the cessation,..." (Barack Obama). He is right. It does reduce some of the violence.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is good that Russia pulled their troops out of Syria. Russia was suppose to be trying to interrupt and stop terrorist groups, and it doesn't seem that they did this:"Critics of Russia's presence in the country say Russian troops were involved in fighting the Syrian opposition groups, not just terrorists"(NPR). Russia should not be intervening with the Syrian government problems. That is something the country needs to figure out itself. They should have really focused only on trying to stop the terrorist groups. Since they were not, it is good that they with drawled.
ReplyDeleteRenee Gibson, period 2
I think it was a good idea for Russia to pull out of Syria. “Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said Monday he has ordered the withdrawal of the majority of Russian troops from Syria (NPR).” The Russian troops being in there, was dangerous and the pull out will spare lives. This decision could be good for and benefit both Russia and Syria, keeping Russian troops safe and hopefully make peace with Syria, for Russia should not be trying to solve Syria's problems for them.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Willis per. 5
I like many other people here, think this is a good idea. But we can only hope that it all goes well and safe. Hopefully thise will help to increase peace and decrease tensions between countries. Russia pulling out of Syria is a risky move and if played right could be very beneficial. Although if played incorrectly the results could be bad.
ReplyDeleteI think that overall the Russians made a good call to pull out of Syria. This act brought troops back home safely and saved many lives. Obama said that he welcomed the much needed reduction which i completely agree with and he has a really good point that made everything go into his favor.
ReplyDeleteJosh Leifker
per.1
The Russians decision to pull out of Syria was justified and smart. Not only does it "help raise trust and help serve as a stimulus", but it simplifies life for Russia. They will save money from not having to fund a war. Also, their presence in Syria was unnecessary. This was the right call for Russia.
ReplyDeleteCameron Stone P6
Even though Putin "said Monday he has ordered the withdrawal of the majority of Russian troops from Syria" (NPR), doesn't mean he will pull all of his troops out. He also never said when he would pull his troops out by. It could be days, months or years before his troops are out of Syria. He could continue to do a lot of damage in that time. He also didn't say he was pulling all of his troops out. A small army can still do a lot of damage.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Koopman, per 1
After reading this article I think that it was a good idea for Russia to pull out of Syria because it saves peoples lives and brings more troops to safety. Putin said Monday's move would send a "good signal" to the parties to the conflict, to help raise trust and help serve as stimulus for Syria's political talk's" the Associated press report. I agree with Putin.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article I think that it was a good idea for Russia to pull out of Syria because it saves peoples lives and brings more troops to safety. Putin said Monday's move would send a "good signal" to the parties to the conflict, to help raise trust and help serve as stimulus for Syria's political talk's" the Associated press report. I agree with Putin.
ReplyDelete