How Romania sees withdrawal of some Russian troops from Ukraine border

Foto: Wikimedia Commons

A Romanian official said it was “too early” to draw conclusions about the withdrawal of some Russian troops from Ukraine’s borders on Tuesday, as the clock ticked down to predictions of an invasion this week.

As the West prepared for a possible attack, Moscow announced Tuesday morning that some troops would return to their bases after exercises were completed. The development raised hopes of a de-escalation of the situation.

“It’s premature to reach a definitive conclusion,” Cristian Diaconescu, a former foreign minister cautioned after the news.

NATO also voiced caution after the moves, saying it has yet to see ‘real de-escalation’ from Russia.

Russia is due to submit its written answers to the U.S. and NATO this week to their proposals for de-escalating the situation.

It has amassed some 130,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders. The U.S. and Britain have warned that an invasion was likely this week.

But on Tuesday, the Russian defense ministry said it was withdrawing some troops.

“This is probably just a signal, which of course is encouraging, for future dialogue between the different sides,” Mr Diaconescu said.

„It diminishes the sentiment that invasion is imminent, so what point is there to discussions and negotiations.” Romania shares a 615-kilometer border with Ukraine, the longest of any NATO ally.

Foto: Inquam Photos / Cornel Putan

“I would be reserved about this, but of course it is a signal for keeping dialogue a priority around Ukraine,” he told Digi24.

Some 1,000 American troops in all are preparing to head to Romania in an open-ended deployment to reassure allies worried about Russia’s military buildup around Ukraine.

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment soldiers which are based in Germany will remain in Romania to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank as long as the mission requires, commanders said.

Mr Diaconescu served as foreign minister from 2008-2009 and again in 2012.

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