He did not elaborate.
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The Russian media noted that the European Union and UN Security Council also viewed Russia’s decision to begin withdrawing from Syria as a positive move.
Whatever the real reasons for the Russian move, it surely changed the military and political dynamics in Syria and may, one would hope, end up accelerating the political process in the country.
“Betting on creating any kind of divisions among the Syrians will be a total failure”, Ja’afari said.
Hopes for a breakthrough remained remote with the sides locked in a bitter dispute over the future of President Bashar al-Assad.
Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday the Syrian peace process is the main focus now for Moscow and Washington. There’s no indication yet that Russia’s move was coordinated with Washington, although White House spokespeople indicated that a Putin-Obama talk might be possible.
Putin’s warning came after the Russian strongman on Monday ordered the surprise withdrawal of most of Russia’s armed forces from Syria, saying Moscow’s task had been “on the whole” completed. Rescuing Assad from the rebellion and securing Russia’s interests – as Putin defines them – has been the real goal in Syria, and on that matter he can certainly claim success. “The Syrian Army’s advances in regions seized by terrorists will continue with military advices from Iran and Russian Federation, within a common framework”.
Khalil said that the federal region declared Thursday was called “Rojava – northern Syria”.
“It will be a second stage of direct negotiations through the mediation of de Mistura”, Al-Meslet said.
“We are leaving Syria with our shields – not on them” a correspondent from the state-controlled NTV channel said proudly. In an interview with The Associated Press, he said it’s a contribution to efforts to reduce military tensions and find a peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict.
“We haven’t seen a significant reduction, frankly, in their combat power”.
President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman says it’s up to the Syrians themselves to decide on whether the country should become a federation. The NATO chief spoke during a visit to the Afghan capital of Kabul.
At the same time, Putin made it clear that Russian Federation will maintain its air base and a naval facility in Syria and keep some troops there.
Su-34 bombers are among jets that have left the Hemeimeem air base in Syria and troops are “loading equipment, logistics items and inventory into transport” planes, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday on Twitter.
Fighting has eased since a temporary ceasefire began on February 27, despite accusations of some violations, though clashes have continued with jihadist groups not covered by the truce.
Russian Federation launched air strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria on September 30, 2015 after Putin secured his parliament’s unanimous backing to intervene to prop up the Kremlin’s closest Middle East ally.
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The two leaders met in Moscow and an Israeli official, who declined to be named, said Rivlin had “asked that Russian Federation work to restore UNDOF as part of any long-term arrangement in Syria”, referring to a United Nations peacekeeping force.
