Russia lowers tensions with Ukraine, withdraw troops from border

PARIS.– In a clear message of relaxation towards the West, Russia to start withdrawing troops from Ukraine border on Friday, after this massive deployment awakened the concern of the United States and the European Union (EU), who denounced the risk of new clashes in this region.

This was announced Thursday by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during a lightning visit to the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2015, where the Russian army carried out “only maneuvers”, according to the Kremlin. In this intervention, the official ordered the senior officers of the army and air force “Let them start returning to their bases from the Russian-Ukrainian border and Crimea from April 23”.

“I think the objectives of these maneuvers have been achieved. The troops have demonstrated their ability to defend our country, ”he said. “For this reason, I have decided to end operations in the southern and western districts.”, he clarified.

Shoigu ordered the military to return to its bases by May 1. The minister ordered the military leaders “to analyze the maneuvers carried out at all levels of command and to prepare a plan to eliminate any gaps”.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed his satisfaction. “The reduction in troops at our border leads to a proportional reduction in tension,” he said on Twitter. “Ukraine remains vigilant, but welcomes any measure aimed at reducing the military presence,” he added.

Accused by the United States, the European Union (EU) and its neighbor Ukraine, of having deployed nearly 150,000 troops in the region, Russian military officials claimed they had blocked flights and closed navigation in parts of the Black Sea and in the Crimea. for drilling.

Last week, Moscow announced a six-month limit on the navigation of foreign military ships and officers in three regions off the coast of Crimea. The measure was denounced by Washington as an “escalation” and considered “a very worrying development” by the European Union. NATO, which Ukraine intends to join, has also demanded that Moscow guarantee “free access” to Ukrainian ports in the region, through which the country’s important exports circulate.

Shortly before, Russia had announced some 4,000 military maneuvers in the 11 time zones of Russian territory for what it called “periodic winter checks” throughout the month of April.

Fear of invasion

Kiev, which fights pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, said it fears an invasion aimed at “destroying” Ukraine. Moscow affirmed “not to threaten anyone”, denouncing simultaneously the “provocations” of Kiev and the “threatening” activities of NATO on its borders.

Despite the fears expressed in recent days by the West over Russian behavior on the Ukrainian border, which included warships, modern weapons and attack planes, some analysts have expressed doubts about Moscow’s intention to prepare for an invasion.

For them, it was simply a military gesture on the part of the Kremlin, for new Biden administration to take note of Russian escalation capacity, as Washington tries to establish new relations with Moscow and the Ukrainian lobbies seek greater Western support.

The surprise decision to end the massive military deployment on the Russian-Ukrainian border seems to support these arguments. Especially after the threatening tone of the speech delivered by the head of the Kremlin to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday – meeting of the two chambers of Parliament – where, without mentioning them, he accused the West of “playing sport to attack Russia for what whatever, “and He warned that those who dare to cross” the Russian red lines will be exposed to an asymmetric, withering and harsh response. “

“The organizers of provocations that threaten our security will regret it because they never had to regret anything!”, Launched Vladimir Putin.

In this context of extreme tension, Washington last week imposed sanctions on Russia for its interference in the 2020 elections, for its massive cyberattack on SolarWinds and for its occupation and “serious human rights violations” in Crimea since 2015.

The United States and the European Union also condemned the Russian regime for the treatment of Alexei Navalny, imprisoned and on hunger strike, whose state of health is extremely serious, according to his relatives, and for the systematic repression popular opposition. .

The prospect of easing in the region immediately favored the ruble, which rose 1% against the major currencies in the Moscow market. Russian stocks also rose 2%, wiping out three days of losses sparked by Vladimir Putin’s much-anticipated state of the nation speech on Wednesday and multiple protests in support of the release of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.

Conocé The Trust Project