What does Russian withdrawal from Syria mean for Moscow? The Kremlin's surprise announcement Monday that it was pulling the bulk of its troops from Syria has been described by the UN as a 'significant' development as peace takls continue in Geneva . But despite President Vladimir Putin's claim that Russian forces have fulfilled the task set before them in Syria, several questions remain on Moscow's role in the war-ravaged country's future. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES of a political expert.