Russia heaped praise on President Donald Trump's decision Wednesday to pull U.S. troops from Syria, calling it a chance for a "political solution" in the civil war-torn country, Russian News Agency Tass reported Wednesday.
In televised remarks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the withdrawal renews "hope."
"A milestone story which might evolve from this decision is a real prospect for a political solution," she said, Tass reported.
"Hope emerges that [Al-Tanf, a military base of the U.S.-led international coalition] . . . will follow the example of Aleppo and other Syrian towns and villages which begin getting back to peaceful life," she said, Tass reported. "Once Americans were there, there was no such hope."
In Washington, the surprise announcement ran into stiff opposition among Trump's own party, including ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.