NATO reports there might be movement by Russian troops on Ukraine’s border, four days after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued his third order to withdraw forces.
We’ve seen limited #Russian troop activity vicinity of #Ukraine border that MAY suggest that some of these forces are preparing to withdraw
— AndersFogh Rasmussen (@AndersFoghR) May 22, 2014
It is too early to say what this means, but I hope this is the start of a full and genuine withdrawal
— AndersFogh Rasmussen (@AndersFoghR) May 22, 2014
Most of previously deployed Russian force remains near the Ukrainian border. We see continued Russian exercises
— AndersFogh Rasmussen (@AndersFoghR) May 22, 2014
Any meaningful, comprehensive and verifiable withdrawal would be a first step from #Russia into the right direction
— AndersFogh Rasmussen (@AndersFoghR) May 22, 2014
#Russia must live up to its international commitments, especially as #Ukraine prepares important elections
— AndersFogh Rasmussen (@AndersFoghR) May 22, 2014
Despite the movement, NATO said there are still too many forces on the border.
“The force that remains on the border is very large and it’s very capable and remains in a very coercive posture,” U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told a news conference.
Russia moved troops to Ukraine’s border in mid-March and in response, Ukraine’s interim President Oleksandr Turchynov formed a National Guard with 60,000 people. NATO told Putin to pull back the forces, but Moscow insisted they were in compliance with international laws. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, but NATO countries, such as Poland and the Balkan States, that border Ukraine and Russia are concerned Putin may target them next.
This was Putin’s third order and the second in May to pull back forces from Ukraine’s borders. He issued his second order on May 7, but NATO released two satellite images five days later that proved Putin did not keep his word.
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