Move could help de-escalate tensions with the West.
A day after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned adversaries that Moscow would deliver a swift and harsh response to any foreign threat amid a buildup of forces near its border with eastern Ukraine, Russia’s defense ministry ordered its troops to begin withdrawing.
Russia’s defense minister said that troops involved in military exercises in the south of the country should return to their permanent place of deployment by May 1. The move is seen as something that could help de-escalate tensions between Russia and Kiev and the West.
Russia’s defense minister has said that Moscow sent military units—more than 10000 personnel, 1,200 units of equipment, and 40 warships—to the country’s west for exercises in a snap test of their combat readiness. Further that the test was in response to the NATO threats of “military activities,” and self-defense readiness. Training is now complete, he said, and troops can return to their permanent bases.
The troop build-up along the Ukrainian border had been seen by both Kiev and the West as Moscow’s preparation of an invasion force. American officials called it the largest muster of Russian military power along the border since the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Troop movements will be closely watched in the coming days.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- With thanks to God for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian border.
- For the president’s administration as the varying global tensions are monitored.
- For the U.S. military leadership as they consider requests from Kiev to send additional support, particularly electronic warfare technology.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, The Guardian
