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Russia says some troops return to base, Ukraine reacts cautiously
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MOSCOW, 16 February 2022, (TON): Russia said “some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine, following days of US and British warnings that Moscow might invade its neighbour at any time.”
It was not clear how many units were being withdrawn, and by what distance, after a build-up of an estimated 130,000 Russian troops to the north, east and south of Ukraine.
The development drew a cautious response from Ukraine and Britain but prompted a sharp rally on financial markets. Western military analysts said it was too soon to be sure of the extent of any de-escalation.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said “we’ve always said the troops will return to their bases after the exercises are over. This is the case this time as well.”
He accused the United States of fuelling the crisis by warning repeatedly of an impending invasion, to the point where Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had made jokes about it.
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