"After receiving information on the start of the Russian military withdrawal from Syria, Hammond made a comment on social networks, where he wrote that, if it is a real withdrawal, it could have a positive effect on the process of Syrian settlement. [Which was] quite a reserved and constructive statement," Peskov told reporters.
On Monday, Hammond wrote a comment in his official Twitter account, calling the Russian pullout a positive step if it is "part of real commitment to Syrian-led political transition & continuation of cessation of hostilities."
#Russian move could be positive — if part of real commitment to Syrian-led political transition & continuation of cessation of hostilities
— Philip Hammond (@PHammondMP) 14 марта 2016 г.
On Monday, Putin ordered the withdrawal of the main contingent of the Russian forces in Syria, stating that they had accomplished their anti-terrorism mission. Russia had conducted an aerial campaign against terrorists in Syria from September 30 at President Bashar Assad's request. Russia's pullout came after a Moscow-Washington-brokered deal on a ceasefire in Syria came into force on February 27.
