The Kremlin has begun withdrawing troops from the Ukrainian border amid concerns in the West that Russia-Ukraine tensions, which have been raging for more than two months, could escalate. Moscow said on Tuesday it had begun evacuating some troops stationed on the Ukrainian border.
Russia has begun withdrawing troops amid signs of an end to the stalemate with the West and a Kremlin-Kiev concession to avoid war. The French news agency AFP reported on Tuesday.
Russia’s state-run news agency quoted a Defense Ministry spokesman as saying that “units of the various military districts in the south and west have already begun taking seats on rail and road transport and will return to military bases today.”
However, it is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the Ukrainian border. The United States has said in a statement that Russia could launch an attack on the Eastern European country at any time. Washington’s Western allies have issued similar warnings.
Neighboring Russia has long had about 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. The country has also sent a fleet of warplanes, including tanks and artillery, to the Ukrainian border. There are also fears that Russian troops could invade the country at any moment. However, Moscow has repeatedly claimed that it has no plans to invade Ukraine.
However, the United States has said that Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine at any time. Washington’s other allies are expressing similar concerns. U.S. intelligence agencies have even hinted that the attack could take place on Wednesday (February 18). However, the Biden administration declined to confirm a specific date.
Meanwhile, countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany have already signaled their support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. France is also in favor of Ukraine on this issue. On the other hand, Russia and China have started getting closer on the Ukraine issue.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Russia to resolve the Ukraine crisis through talks. During the visit, he also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the French president’s efforts to defuse the crisis have not worked.
Under such circumstances, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz visited Ukraine on Monday. He visited the Eastern European country to show solidarity with Ukraine in the face of a possible Russian aggression and to avoid a possible war in Europe.
Besides, Olaf Schultz left for Russia on Tuesday after completing his tour of Ukraine. The German chancellor is also scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During his visit, Moscow announced plans to withdraw some troops from the Ukrainian border.