Russia's defense ministry said Tuesday that its military at the Russian air base in Syria is preparing for some of the planes and fighter jets to leave and return home following a pullout order from President Vladimir Putin. The statement came a day after Putin announced the withdrawal of most of the Russian forces from Syria, timing his move to coincide with the resumption of Syria peace talks in Geneva. The start of the negotiations in Switzerland on Monday offered Putin an opportune moment to declare an official end to the five-and-a-half-month Russian air campaign that has allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad's army to win back some key ground and strengthen his positions ahead of the talks.
