Russia Will Begin Withdrawing Its Military From Syria, Putin Says

The Russian missile cruiser Moskva in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Syria, in December.

Max Delany / AFP / Getty Images

Russia will begin pulling most of its military out from Syria, having completed its "fundamental goals" in the war-torn country, President Vladimir Putin announced Monday.

In a statement, the Kremlin announced Moscow will begin withdrawing the main body of its air force from Syria, but will keep a military presence in the country to guarantee compliance with the ongoing ceasefire and "ensure aviation security."

Putin telephoned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Monday to discuss Russia's campaign of airstrikes in Syria, which first began in earnest in September. The two leaders were said to have agreed Russia's air force had radically changed the fight against "terrorism" in the country, by inflicting significant damage on jihadist infrastructure. Both countries generally refer to all opposition to the Syrian regime, include those supported by the United States and other Western nations.

"With this in mind, the President of Russia stated that the fundamental tasks set before the Armed Forces of Russia in Syria were resolved," the Kremlin said.

Michael Klimentyev / AFP / Getty Images

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SOURCE: BuzzFeed