The War is Over? President Putin Calls for a Withdrawal of Russian Forces from Syria in a Speech at Hmeymim Airbase

On an unscheduled visit to Russia's Hmeymim base in Syria's Latakia province President Putin called for a withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. He stated that Russian forces would be "returning home with victory" after a successful two year military campaign against insurgent groups in the country. While Western analysts had predicted that Russia would become entangled in Syria as Western militaries had in wars lasting over a decade in Afghanistan, Iran and Vietnam, Russia's confidence in its victory in a relatively short period and ability to withdraw its forces proved this Western speculation incorrect.

President Putin was met by both Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on his visit to Syria. The final defeat of the Islamic State terror group, declared just days prior, as well as the future of Syria, were the topics of conversation. Putin stated when visiting Hmeymim airbase, in a speech given to Russian personnel stationed there: "I instruct the Defense Minister, the head of the General Staff to begin the withdrawal of the Russian troop contingents back to the places of their permanent location." He commended the "courage, heroism, coordination, determination, brilliant training and high professionalism" of the Russian forces deployed to the country. Putin left Syria the same day heading for Turkey, with his plane escorted by Su-35 fighters - Russia's most advanced air superiority platform. Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the rate at which Russian forces would withdraw would depend on the nature of the situation on the ground.

With the United States maintaining an indefinite military deployment in Syria, one which was never condoned by the country's government and is thus seen as an act of aggression, Russia's withdrawal could well be a move to diplomatically pressure Washington to follow suite. With Russia deploying S-400 SAM systems and Su-30 and Su-35 high performance fighters to Syria, the country is expected to provide the Syrian government with less costly platforms to begin to take responsibility for their own defense. Deliveries of MiG-29SMT and potentially S-300 systems in the near future are likely, while Russia has also assisted Syria in modernizing its older S-200 SAM systems to be able to target modern aircraft.