President Vladimir Putin has ordered a partial withdrawal of the Russian military contingent in Syria, with the hope that this move will contribute to the success of the peace talks, which began today. Announcing his decision in a televised speech to the nation, Putin said the Russian air campaign allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad to turn the tide of the war, helping to create the conditions for peace talks.
"With the objectives now almost achieved, I have ordered the Minister of Defense to start the withdrawal of our forces in Syria, starting tomorrow".
Putin, who did not specify the real extent of the withdrawal, pointed out that the Latakia air base and the naval facility in the port of Tartus will remain fully operational and managed by Russian personnel. The peace talks, resumed today in Geneva, aim at a political transition in the country. The latter is strongly supported by the Syrian "moderate" opposition which has called for presidential elections within the next 18 months. On the other hand, forces loyal to Assad do not intend to "imagine a future without the President".
Putin also added that Russian troops will continue to monitor compliance with the ceasefire brokered with the Americans.
As far as I know - comments today the special envoy of the United Nations, Staffan de Mistura - the only plan B is war to the bitter end. Political change and new elections are needed. The real problem - added de Mistura - it is the different interpretation of political transition.
Assad, however, has announced that parliamentary elections in Syria will be held regularly next month, as scheduled according to schedule. Elections will only be held in areas under government control and there will be no polling stations in Syrian embassies abroad or in refugee camps.
In Geneva, the so-called proximity talks continue. The two sides do not meet face to face, but separately with a UN delegate forced to commute from one delegation to another. De Mistura met the government delegation today. Tomorrow will be the turn of the opposition.
Assad's new proposal is to "negotiate with the Syrians without foreign intervention and without preconditions". The new request refers to previous opposition demands, such as an end to the bombing, the release of detainees and the lifting of the siege by government troops on the areas controlled by the rebels.
(photo: MoD Russian Federation)
