Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin ‘withdraws troops’ from border

Vladimir Putin states Russia has withdrawn its troops from the Ukrainian border in possible breakthrough

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed new legislation banning swearing in films, television broadcasts, books and public performances
Vladimir Putin Photo: MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV /AFP
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow had pulled back its forces from the Ukrainian border amid Western fears of an imminent military invasion of Russia’s crisis-hit Western neighbour.
“We were told constantly about concerns over our troops near the Ukrainian border. We have pulled them back. Today they are not at the Ukrainian border but in places of regular exercises, at training grounds,” he said after meeting with Swiss president and current OSCE chief Didier Burkhalter.
In what appeared to be a breakthrough in the worst crisis between East and West since the Cold War, Mr Putin also called on pro-Moscow separatists in Ukraine to postpone a vote on secession just five days before it was to be held, potentially pulling Ukraine back from the brink of dismemberment.
It was the first sign the Kremlin leader has given that he would not endorse a referendum planned for Sunday by pro-Russian rebels seeking independence for two provinces with 6.5 million people and around a third of Ukraine's industrial output.
"We call on the representatives of southeastern Ukraine, the supporters of the federalisation of the country, to postpone the referendum planned for May 11," Putin said.

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