Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Moscow, SANA – Spokesman for the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov said the decision to reduce Russia’s forces in Syria was made on the basis of the results of the Russian air operation in the country, which started on September 30 of last year.
“This decision of the President of Russia and commander-in-chief on the basis of data on the results of the Russian contingent in Syria,” said Peskov in a press statement on Tuesday.
He clarified that President Vladimir Putin “took into account the results and came to the conclusion that the main objectives have generally been fulfilled.”
Peskov denied allegations that the Russian decision came to put pressure on the Syrian government, stressing that it was nothing of the like.
He explained that the decision to withdraw forces from Syria was taken personally by President Putin.
“It was not the subject of negotiations (with international colleagues), it was the decision of the President of Russia,” said Peskov.
The Kremlin spokesman answered a question about whether there is divergence of views of Moscow and Damascus on the course of political settlement in Syria, saying “the same views can not be.” He however added that “Russia has consistently advocated a peaceful settlement of internal Syrian problems.”
While declining to comment about the probability of resuming the Russian military operations in Syria saying “This is hypothesis-generating. We do not deal with the hypothetical prediction,” Peskov yet stressed that two Russian military installations in Syria will remain staff.
“Let’s not forget that two – Hmeimin and Tartous remain, accordingly, they cannot exist without staff,” he added.
We said questions about continuing or not Russian airstrikes against terrorist positions in Syria should be forwarded to the Russian Ministry of Defense, noting that “Now the number of sorties actually reduced by two thirds. The presence of such a force is simply not required.”
Peskov pointed out that monitoring the cessation of hostilities in Syria is a complex process, adding this task is being undertaken by the Russian and American military.
He clarified that Russia’s main task in Syria at the current stage is “to contribute to a peaceful settlement and negotiations that began in Geneva.”
“The tasks set before the Russian space forces, greatly expanded the territory liberated from terrorists in Syria, to support the Patriotic forces of Syria in fight against terrorism, to change the situation,” said Peskov.
“After this mission, the withdrawal creates the necessary prerequisites for the positive development of the negotiation process in the framework of internal Syrian settlement,” he added.
H. Said
