MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military to withdraw most of its forces from Syria, timing his move to the launch of Syrian peace talks Monday — an end game that allows the Russian leader to cash in on his gains and reduce his risks in the conflict.

The start of the negotiations in Geneva offers Putin an opportune moment to declare an official end to the Russian air campaign that began more than five months ago and that has allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad's army to win back some key ground and strengthen his positions ahead of the talks.

With Russia's main goals in Syria achieved, the pullback will allow Putin to pose as a peacemaker and help ease tensions with NATO member Turkey and the Gulf monarchies vexed by Moscow's military action.

At the same time, Putin made clear that Russia will maintain its air base and a naval facility in Syria and keep some troops there.

Syria's state news agency also quoted Assad as saying that the Russian military will draw down its air force contingent but won't leave the country altogether.

Announcing his decision in a televised meeting with Russia's foreign and defense ministries, Putin said the Russian air campaign has allowed Assad's military to “radically” turn the tide of the war and helped create conditions for peace talks.

He didn't specify how many planes and troops should be withdrawn from Syria. The number of Russian soldiers in Syria has not been revealed.

Russia has deployed more than 50 jets and helicopters to its Hemeimeem air base, in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, and they have operated at a frenetic pace, each flying several combat sorties on an average day. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Putin that thanks to the Russian air support the Syrian military has extended its control to 400 towns and villages over an area of 10,000 square kilometers (more than 3,800 square miles).

The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, who restarted peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition in Geneva on Monday, said he had no comment on Putin's move.

Earlier in the day, he warned that the only alternative to the negotiations is a return to war and described political transition in the country as “the mother of all issues.”

The Russian and U.S.-brokered cease-fire that began Feb. 27 has largely held, but both the Syrian government and its foes have accused one another of violations.

The deal with Washington has achieved a key Putin goal: raising Russia's global profile to appear as an equal to the United States in mediating the Syrian conflict that has dominated global attention.

The Islamic State group and al-Qaida's branch in Syria, the Nusra Front, are excluded from the cease-fire. Russia has said it would continue its fight against the groups considered terrorists by the United Nations.

President Barack Obama and Putin spoke by phone Monday about the Russian leader's military withdrawal and “next steps” in implementing the cease-fire, the White House said in a statement.

It said Obama welcomed Russia's move but also noted continued sporadic violence and urged Putin to pressure the Syrian regime to stop offensive actions that could undermine the fragile truce in a conflict entering its sixth year Tuesday.

Putin's announcement appears to indicate that Moscow will largely halt its military action for now. The Russian air force already has drastically reduced its activities since the cease-fire started.

Putin said Monday's move should help raise trust and serve as a stimulus for Syria's political talks. The Kremlin said the president coordinated the move with Assad, who voiced his readiness to “quickly launch a political process.”