Western diplomats, officials welcome Russian withdrawal for Syrian peace process

Western countries and the Syrian opposition welcomed Russia's decision to withdraw its forces from Syria on Monday, saying that it is significant for helping the war-torn country's long-sought peace process.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria will increase the pressure on Bashar Assad to negotiate a "political transition.""If the announcement of a withdrawal of Russian troops materializes, this increases the pressure on Assad to finally negotiate in a serious way in Geneva a political transition which maintains the stability of the Syrian state and the interests of all populations," Steinmeier said in a statement.

"If the cease-fire can be the sign that after five years of war, the parties in conflict are finally tired of war and admit that no one can militarily win the conflict, then there is a hope that after five years ... a political solution can work," Steinmeier added.

The Syrian opposition has welcomed the announcement that Russia is withdrawing its forces from Syria, saying the move is likely to put pressure on Syrian authorities and give the peace talks in Geneva a positive impetus.

"If there is seriousness in implementing the withdrawal, it will give the talks a positive push," Salim al-Muslat, spokesman for the rebel High Negotiations Committee, said.

Eric Coquerel from France's Left Party told Russia-based RT that Russia has achieved its military objectives and Moscow believes that there is less of a danger from DAESH militants."This [Russian troop withdrawal] is a necessary and positive [development]. ... It was probably carried out and to facilitate negotiations [in Geneva] because in our view the Syrian issue should be resolved in the U.N.," he added.

Another French deputy, Gerard Bapt, a member of the National Assembly of France said: "I do not think that Russia will stop battling Islamic State [DAESH] and al-Nusra Front." Fresh peace talks began in Geneva on Monday with both sides locked in a bitter dispute over Assad's future on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the conflict.