Moscow's Withdrawal From Syria Not to Affect Anti-Russia Sanctions

MOSCOW (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov – Despite previous reports that stated otherwise, Moscow's decision to withdraw its forces from Syria will have no impact on the existing policy of anti-Russia sanctions, a UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokeswoman told Sputnik on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker told Sputnik that Russia’s decision to withdraw from Syria may affect western leaders’ views on whether to renew sanctions against Moscow in June. On the same day, US Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland stated that Russia's move should not affect the decisions related to anti-Moscow sanctions over Ukraine.

"Sanctions against Russia are in respect of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and depend on full implementation of the Minsk Agreements," the FCO spokeswoman said, answering a question whether Russia's decision regarding Syria could lead to any changes in the sanctions policy.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of the main part of the country’s forces from Syria as they had fulfilled the task assigned to them. Putin said the remaining groupings in Hmeimim in Syria's Latakia province and the naval facility in the port of Tartus would play a key role in monitoring the cessation of hostilities between Syrian government and opposition forces.

The European Union and its allies have introduced several rounds of sanctions against Russia since 2014, having accused Russia of meddling in the Ukrainian conflict. Brussels is scheduled to reconsider the sanctions regime in June, six months after deciding to re-impose the measures.

Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, stressing that it is not a party to the Ukraine conflict.