Russian Army Readies Return from Ukrainian Border

Local Editor

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that its units in the western regions bordering Ukraine are preparing for a journey to their home bases in line with President Vladimir Putin's order.

Putin ordered the withdrawal Monday in what could be an attempt to ease tensions with the West over Ukraine. Putin's order appears to go further than his claim two weeks ago that troops were being pulled back from the border to shooting ranges.

The Defense Ministry said Tuesday that its forces in the Bryansk, Belgorod and Rostov regions are dismantling their summer camps in preparation for a march to their home bases.

On Monday the Kremlin said in a statement on its website that it was pulling back forces from three regions along the Ukrainian border. "In connection with the completion of the routine springtime training phase for troops that involved their deployment to training grounds in the Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, among others, the president of Russia gave the command to the defence minister to return the troops taking part in the exercises to their home bases," the Kremlin said.

Russian defense experts said troops would need at least 24 hours to begin moving. The fact that Russia's national security council held a special meeting with Putin on Monday also lent weight to the announcement.

The Kremlin statement said Putin welcomed the "first contacts between Kiev and supporters of federalisation". Moscow has pushed to have pro-Russia rebels included in national unity talks, but Ukrainian leaders say they will not negotiate with "terrorists".
The Ukrainian prime minister, Arseny Yatseniuk, said on Saturday he would offer amnesty to any rebels who had not committed grave crimes.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team