For the first time since the start of the crisis in Ukraine last fall, tensions seem to be easing. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday February 15 the withdrawal of some of the more than 100,000 soldiers massed on the Ukrainian border for several weeks.
→ READ. Ukraine: the war of nerves intensifies
“The units of the Southern and Western Military Districts, which have completed their tasks, have already started loading on the rail and road means of transport and will start returning to their garrisons today”announced the spokesman of the ministry, Igor Konashenkov.
An attack expected on February 16
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kouleba immediately welcomed this development. “Together with our partners, we managed to prevent any further escalation from Russia,” he said following the Russian announcement.
→ ANALYSIS. Ukrainian crisis: in Moscow, the Russians prefer to look elsewhere
Moscow’s unexpected decision comes as tensions had reached their climax, and an invasion was even expected by some on Wednesday, February 16. The spokesman for the US State Department, equivalent to the Department of Foreign Affairs, said he had not seen “no concrete sign of de-escalation” shortly before this turnaround.
On the Ukrainian border, a “consolidated” Russian army ready for combat
The Americans had even taken the decision to move their embassy from Kiev, close to the Russian troops stationed in Belarus, to Lviv, in the west of the country, more sheltered from a possible invasion.
“Always a chance” for dialogue
During his visit to Kiev on Monday February 14, Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, seemed more optimistic, urging the Russians to “seizing dialogue offers”. Its foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, had asked the Kremlin to “withdraw troops” of the border.
→ TO REREAD. Russia escalates tension over Ukraine
His Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, said he was there “always a chance” and that the “possibilities are far from exhausted”, even offering “prolong and broaden the dialogue”, according to images broadcast on television. Remarks much less offensive than those which have enamelled the communication of the Kremlin in recent weeks.
