Topline
The Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday announced some of its combat troops deployed along its border with Ukraine are being sent back to their garrisons, a decision that may tentatively de-escalate tensions in the region after weeks of warnings from the U.S. and its Europeans allies that Moscow may be planning an invasion of its neighbor.
Key Facts
According to a statement by Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov, troops stationed in Russia’s southern and western military districts—along the border with Ukraine—have begun loading onto trains and trucks and will be moving back to their garrisons.
The statement notes that these troops have completed their “combat training measures” as part of a large-scale military drill.
The statement, however, adds that other Russian military drills being carried out in Belarus and by its navy in “operationally important areas” will continue as planned.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said the troop movements were routine and added that it was Russia’s right to conduct exercises “where we want on our territory.”
Peskov chided the U.S. for fueling a crisis with overblown concerns about Russia’s military buildup and added that Putin had made jokes about it.
Russia’s announcement prompted a sharp rally in the global financial markets with Dow, S&P and Nasdaq futures rising between one and two percent.
Crucial Quote
At a press conference in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted that such a move was always on the cards and predicted that Western leaders will now try to take credit for it. “The West, if it hasn’t already, will say: ‘See, as soon as we pressured them and Biden snapped, they immediately got scared and fulfilled our demands. This is selling air — our Western colleagues have become rather successful at it,” the New York Times reported.
What To Watch For
It is unclear if this development definitively ends the possibility of a Russian military invasion of Ukraine. The New York Times notes that the troops being pulled back are only from the military districts closest to Ukraine—which means that many of them will still remain relatively close to the border even if they are moved back into their bases. Additionally a large number of Russian troops, military equipment and airplanes still remain in Belarus, which borders Ukraine from the north.
Key Background
On Monday, Putin met Lavrov in a meeting that was partially televised. During the televised portion, Lavrov told Putin that Russia should continue diplomatic negotiations with the West, saying the possibility of a diplomatic solution in Ukraine is “far from exhausted.” The Russian president agreed to continue negotiations, even as the U.S. and its allies warned of an impending invasion of Ukraine. Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu also appeared in a televised meeting with Putin on Monday where he characterized Russia’s troop build up as a “large-scale” exercise which is now coming to an end.
Further Reading
Russia says some troops are returning to their bases, but other large-scale military drills continue. (New York Times)
Russia says some troops return to base, Ukraine reacts cautiously (Reuters)
