In a surprise move, Russia’s ordering its military to begin pulling out the ”main part” of its forces in Syria Tuesday.

President Vladimir Putin says that the Russia intervention had largely achieved its goals.

Russia’s a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his office says he’d agreed to the move.

Russia entered the Syrian civil war last September, tipping the balance in favour of the Syrian government as it recaptured territory from rebels.

The development comes amid new UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva.

The UN’s envoy to Syria described them as a ”moment of truth,” that there was no ”plan B” should they fail, with the only alternative a return to war.

A ceasefire that started February 27 has held for the most part, but there have been reports of violations on all sides.