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Mission Accomplished: Russia's Pullout From Syria Signals Political Victory

© Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov / Go to the mediabankHmeimim airbase in Syria
Hmeimim airbase in Syria - Sputnik International
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Many foreign experts have already touted President Vladimir Putin's decision to start withdrawing Russia's Aerospace Forces unit from Syria as something that will help stimulate the process of settling the Syrian crisis politically.

Syrian Army with support of Russian military aviation takes control over village of Gmam, Latakia Province - Sputnik International
US-Russia Deal 'Most Important' in Syria Settlement Efforts
Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to begin pulling his country's Aerospace Forces group out of Syria is aimed at stimulating the process of reaching a political settlement which will overcome the gridlock preventing a lasting truce in the Syrian war, according to many foreign experts, including former US Senate staffer James Jatras.

In an interview with RT, he pointed specifically to Russia's air campaign, which had been backing the Syrian Army's anti-terror effort.

"We should bear in mind that the political settlement of the conflict would have been out of the question but for Russia's air support of Syria's government forces. This finally forced the terrorists to shift to defensive actions," Jatras said.

He was echoed by political analyst John Wight, who told RT that the Russian air strikes on terrorists added significantly to boosting the Syrian Army's morale, which he said helped change the situation in favor of Syria's government troops.

"Now, all attention will be focused on Geneva, where a new round of the Syria peace talks will take place," he pointed out.

The resumption of these talks became possible only thanks to President Putin's decision to start pulling out Russia's Aerospace Forces from Syria, according to another political analyst, Catherine Shakdam.

Speaking to RT, she said that Putin's move is aimed to de-escalate the situation in the region.

"This is an attempt to again start resolving the Syrian conflict by political means. President Putin and Russia know full well that they should not be involved in a full-fledged war, especially if this war is not the ultimate goal," she said.

Bruno Gollnisch, a MEP from France's National Front party, stated that this decision underscores Putin's willingness to be engaged in a dialogue with the international community.

"I believe that Vladimir Putin is absolutely right that he decided to begin the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria. This only proves that the global community should conduct a dialogue with Putin rather than isolate him," Gollnisch said.

Syrians walk past a billboard bearing a national flag and a slogan which reads in Arabic You are the future and long live the country in Damascus. file photo - Sputnik International
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On Monday, Putin announced that the Russian armed forces had fulfilled their mission in Syria and their withdrawal would begin the following day.

Moscow will, however, maintain a military presence in Syria, and a deadline for a complete pullout has not yet been announced. Putin also indicated that Russian forces will remain at the port of Tartus and Hmeymim airbase in Latakia.

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