It aint easy n i dont know the answer, no i dont think for 1 min the news was provided to blacken Putins name, was never any need for that, all with a grain of sense know what Putin is, and has been for all his term of office. Putin will not withdraw his troops as Russia wants a foothold down yon. i think though he could warn assad against using chemical weapons, doubt if he will. i am well aware yeh state things as yeh see em, sod all wrong wi that, i do exactly the same.
it dont worry me in the slightest, and i do not think our troops will be going out yon on foot to war.