his military forces from Syria. He has also told his diplomats to push for

peace as UN-mediated talks resume on ending the Syrian civil war.

Park Se-young has the details. The main deployment of Russian armed forces

in Syria will start leaving the country from Tuesday.

Speaking at the Kremlin, President Putin said Russia had largely achieved its aims.

"I believe that the goal set out to the ministry of defense and the armed forces has in large

part been fulfilled and that's why I order the minister of defense as of tomorrow to

start the pullout of the main part of our military grouping from the Syrian Arab Republic."

Putin's surprise decision comes as fresh peace talks aimed at resolving the Syrian civil

war resumed in Geneva. Russia began air strikes in September in support

of the Syrian government in the five-year conflict.

The Syrian opposition, which has bore the brunt of the strikes, says the withdrawal

will give peace talks "a positive push" if Russia is serious.

The president of the UN Security Council welcomed Moscow's announcement, calling it a "positive

statement."

"When we see forces withdrawing it means war is taking a different step. So that's good."

Experts say Putin's decision may be a signal to the Assad regime in Damascus that they

are not going to get Russian support indefinitely, and that further support may come at the price

of peace talks. Park Se-young, Arirang News.