Russia said Tuesday it was pulling back some of its forces near the Ukrainian border to their bases, in what would be the first major step towards de-escalation in weeks of crisis with the West.
The move came amid an intense diplomatic effort to avert a feared Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbour and after Moscow amassed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders.
"Units of the Southern and Western military districts, having completed their tasks, have already begun loading onto rail and road transport and today they will begin moving to their military garrisons," the ministry's chief spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, told Russian news agencies. Ahead of Tuesday's talks, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that"the situation is particularly dangerous and can escalate at any moment".
During a carefully choreographed meeting Monday with Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said"there is always a chance" of reaching an agreement with the West over Ukraine. The Russian leader and his top aides have consistently argued that the current crisis is the result of the United States and western Europe ignoring Moscow's legitimate security concerns.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Britain helps Ukraine against Russia: Britain working to provide more military support to UkraineLONDON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Britain is working on a package of military support and economic aid for Ukraine as the threat of a Russian invasion grows, a government spokesperson said on Sunday.
Read more »
Global markets slide as risk of war between Russia and Ukraine growsInvestors have been sent scuttling back to the safe-haven government bonds they have been dumping in 2022
Read more »
Germany Chancellor heads to Ukraine to calm 'critical' Russia war threatRussia is ready to strike at 'any moment' with an assault that would likely start with 'a significant barrage of missiles and bomb attacks', US intelligence said.
Read more »
Ukraine vows to keep airspace open despite Russia threatThe Dutch carrier KLM on Saturday became the first major airline to indefinitely suspend flights to the former Soviet republic because of the rising risks.
Read more »
JSE slips as risk of war between Russia and Ukraine growsThe risk has boosted oil prices to seven-year highs
Read more »