Details, timeframe of Russian forces’ withdrawal from Syria to be specified by defense ministry - Kremlin spokesman

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. Details and timeframe for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria will be specified by the defense ministry with due account of the need to ensure security of the remaining contingent, Russian president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Monday after President Vladimir Putin took a decision to round up Russia’s air operation in Syria. "These are framework decisions of the president. Details will be specified by the defense ministry," he said, adding that two Russian bases, in Khmeimim and Tartus, will continue operation. When asked if Russia will keep its S-400 systems in Syria, the Kremlin spokesman said, "I don’t know." "We are guided by the president’s words that Khmeimin’s and Tartus’ security is to be ensured from air, from the land and from the sea," he stressed. He referred the question about which contingent is staying in Khmeimim and Tartus to the defense ministry. When asked whether any of the Russian personnel will stay at these bases, Peskov noted, "You don’t expect them to function by themselves, do you?" He stressed that these bases will be used to maintain coordination with foreign partners. "We maintain coordination with the Americans in terms of ceasefire monitoring. So, Khmeimim and Tartus will continue to perform these functions, including from the point of view of coordination," he said. The Kremlin spokesman did not say however when the withdrawal will be over. "The timeframe of the withdrawal in the competence of the defense ministry," he only said. Read more