The majority of Russian respondents support President Vladimir Putin’s decision to withdraw “the main part” of the military from Syria, the state-run VTsIOM pollster reported Thursday.
Only 7 percent of respondents do not agree with the president's decision to withdraw, while 84 percent were in support of the military agenda in Syria, VTsIOM said.
Sixty-four percent of respondents believe that the withdrawal was appropriately timed, 8 percent believe that it was premature, and 13 percent think that it was late, according to the survey.
More than three quarters of respondents — 78 percent — agree that Russian forces achieved their objectives in Syria.
Half of respondents believe that if negotiations for a peaceful resolution fail, Russia will return forces to Syria, whereas 28 percent believe they will not.
The survey also revealed that 76 percent of Russians keep up-to-date with the situation in Syria, with 24 percent of these regularly following its developments.
Putin ordered the withdrawal of Russia’s main military contingent from Syria from March 15, claiming their objectives have been “carried out in full.”
The survey was conducted March 19-20 — 1,600 respondents were interviewed at 130 sampling points in 46 Russian regions and republics. The statistical error does not exceed 3.5 percent.
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