A spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the withdrawal of the main part of Russia’s armed forces in Syria would not weaken Assad, Interfax reported.

A spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the withdrawal of the main part of Russia’s armed forces in Syria would not weaken Assad, Interfax reported.

Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman, added that the main theme of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Russia next week would be Syria, Reuters reported.

On Monday, Putin announced Russian forces would begin withdrawing from Syria less than six months after they began an air campaign in the country on Sep. 30.

Putin said Russia’s objective in Syria had been “fulfilled.”