Russia Announces A Partial Withdrawal Of Troops Near The Ukraine

 

Daily Mail: 'We'll believe Putin's withdrawal when we see it': NATO cautiously declares victory in battle to stop Russia invading Ukraine while Moscow claims it has 'disgraced' the West - hours after US intelligence warned troops were in 'attack positions' 

* NATO chief says room for 'cautious optimism' around Ukraine after Russia said it is withdrawing some troops 

* Kiev remains skeptical, with the defence minister warning: 'Don't believe what you hear, believe what you see' 

* Russian announcement came hours after Washington warned tanks were moving into final attack positions * Observers and those on the ground say they have not seen any evidence yet of Russian forces moving away 

* Olaf Scholz is in Moscow for face-to-face talks with Putin, the latest leader to try and de-escalate the crisis 

Russia's announcement that it will withdraw some of its troops from the Ukrainian border was welcomed with cautious optimism by NATO and the West today - with observers warning that the apparent de-escalation is yet to be confirmed by movements on the ground. 

Jens Stoltenburg, NATO chief executive, said there is room for 'cautious optimism' after weeks of escalating tensions - amid signs from Russia that the diplomatic route to ending the crisis has not yet been closed off. 

But he also warned that Putin still maintains a large military presence near Ukraine, has the ability to attack at short notice, and that there has been no evidence yet of a drawn-down of forces - despite Moscow claiming some units are leaving after training exercises.  

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WNU Editor: This is the reaction from Ukraine .... Kyiv starts to breathe a little easier as Russian troops pull back (The Guardian). I say it is too soon to determine what is happening .... Russia's Massive Military Buildup Near Ukraine Remains In Place Despite Withdrawal Claims (Updated) (Warzone/The Drive). 

 

Russia Announces A Partial Withdrawal Of Troops Near The Ukraine  

Crimea drills over, troops returning to permanent bases -- TASS  

Russia Says Pulling Back Some Forces from Ukraine Border -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Putin says some Russian troops are withdrawing after drills, but skepticism in Ukraine and US remains -- CNN 

Russia says some troops returning to base from Ukraine border -- ABC News  

Russia says it is withdrawing troops from Ukraine border but NATO and Ukraine remain sceptical -- ABC News Australia  

Russia says it is pulling back some of its troops from the Ukrainian border -- Business  

Putin confirms "partial withdrawal" of troops but signals threat not over -- Axios 

Ukraine crisis: Scepticism over Russian claim that troops are withdrawing from border Access to the comments -- Euronews  

West has doubts over Russian troop withdrawal from Ukraine border -- RT 

Russia says it's moving some troops to their bases. What does this mean? -- Nathan Hodge, CNN