Moscow Will Withdraw Its Troops From Georgia Starting Monday

Kremlin Says Troops Will Begin Georgia Withdrawal
-- New York Times

MOSCOW — Russia is to begin withdrawing its troops from neighboring Georgia on Monday, two days after it signed a revised framework for a deal to halt the fighting there, which has stirred some of the deepest divisions between world powers since the cold war.

The Kremlin announced on Sunday that the Russian president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, had spoken with President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who negotiated the cease-fire, and pledged that Russian forces would be pulled back on Monday.

The Kremlin said in a statement that the two leaders discussed how to “realize in practice” the cease-fire framework. The statement did not specify the scope or pace of the withdrawal. It said troops would start moving toward the separatist region of South Ossetia and what it described as a “security zone.”

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More News On Russia's Withdrawing From Georgia

Russia to start Georgia pullout on Monday -- Reuters
Russia to Begin Troop Pullout After Western Pressure-- Bloomberg
Russia 'strengthens occupation' despite claims of withdrawal -- Times Online
Sarkozy warns Russia: withdraw from South Ossetia or face the consequences -- The Guardian
Russia promises to pull out forces -- Sydney Morning Herald

My Comment: I expect Russian forces to take their time. I also expect that they will not completely withdraw from contested areas ... stating that these areas belong to either South Ossetia or Abkhazia.