https://www.rt.com/news/335554-putin-orders-syria-withdrawal/
>Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu to start the withdrawal of forces from Syria starting Tuesday
>“I consider the objectives that have been set for the Defense Ministry to be generally accomplished. That is why I order to start withdrawal of the main part of our military group from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic starting from tomorrow,” Putin said on Monday during a meeting with Shoigu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
>Bashar Assad has recognized the “professionalism, courage and heroism” of Russian Army soldiers and officers, who have taken part in the military action, thanking Russia not only for extensive help in the fight against terrorism, but also for providing humanitarian aid and assistance to the Syrian civilian population.
>The decision to withdraw the forces has been made by the Russian leader "based on the evaluation of results" of the defense ministry’s performance, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The president has not yet discussed the decision with western leaders, he added, but said that Moscow will maintain its coordination of actions in the region with the United States.
>Russia will however keep a military presence at the port of Tartus and at the Khmeimim airbase to observe ceasefire agreements.