(Fwrd Axis) — Some Russian troops near Ukraine’s border are being pulled back and returning to their bases after completing exercises, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Tuesday.
The move is a sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be open to de-escalating but the threat of war is not over yet, according to The New York Times. The U.S. evacuated its embassy staff from Kyiv on Monday amid concerns of a Russian invasion.
“The units of the Southern and Western military districts, having completed their tasks, have already begun loading onto rail and road transport and will begin moving to their military garrisons today,” spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.
The United States has said there is a “distinct possibility” Russia could invade Ukraine before the end of the 2022 Winter Olympics on February 20 but Russia has denied all claims of an attack on Ukraine.
“We don’t know exactly what is going to happen, but the risk is now high enough and the threat is now immediate enough,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.
President Joe Biden warned Americans to leave Ukraine now in an interview with NBC News taped last Thursday, which aired during Sunday’s Super Bowl. He added sending troops into the country to rescue U.S. citizens would result in “world war.”
Biden and Putin spoke last weekend for an hour and the President warned the Russian President of the consequences of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“President Biden was clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our Allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios,” the White House statement said.
Russia has over 130,000 troops along the Ukrainian border and conducted military exercises in Belarus but has still denied they are planning to invade the country. Putin has made several bold demands, which include NATO to reduce forces in Central and Eastern Europe and for NATO to not allow Ukraine to join.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.
