Russia dials back Ukraine forces
MOSCOW: Russia’s defence minister has ordered an end to military drills near Ukraine involving tens of thousands of troops and dozens of warships that had exacerbated tensions with the West.
The announcement came as President Vladimir Putin invited Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for talks in Moscow following weeks of renewed fighting in east Ukraine between government troops and proMoscow separatists.
Mr Putin appeared to shoot down Mr Zelensky’s proposal to meet in the war-torn eastern Ukraine, saying talks over the years-long conflict should be held directly with separatists.
Earlier, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu oversaw massive drills in Moscowannexed Crimea and said the soldiers would begin returning to their bases on Friday.
“I’ve decided to wind down the checks in the southern and western military districts,” he said, adding the troop pullback should be completed by May 1.
The West has been urging Russia for a troop withdrawal for months.