Checkmate: Putin's Maneuver in Syria 'Genius'

With the Russian military operation underway in Syria, President Vladimir Putin is "back in the game". Now, the EU is considering the issue of anti-Russian sanctions from another angle, professor Herfried Munkler told Die Presse.

Vladimir Putin’s "genius maneuver" in Syria drove him out of isolation, Herfried Munkler, a German political analyst and professor at the Humboldt University of Berlin, told Die Presse.

According to the analyst, since making the decision to engage in the Syrian conflict, Putin is "back in the game".

"Since then, the EU has been considering its sanctions against Russia from another angle. Considering Russia a strategic rival, Europe is unable to solve its problems in the southeast and in the south," the professor pointed out.

This was clear before, especially if "geography is taken into account", but now has become obvious amid the European refugee crisis, he added.

However, he added that "everything has its price." According to Munkler, if Russia builds up its military involvement in Syria it may carry long-term consequences.

Syria has been engulfed in an armed conflict since 2011. Over 220,000 people have been killed. The government forces are fighting various militant groups, including Daesh (Islamic State) and the al-Nusra Front.

On September 30, Russia launched airstrikes against terrorist positions in Syria, at the request of President Bashar Assad.