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Shot released by the Russian Ministry of Defense: Here, Russian tanks are said to be seen withdrawing
Photo: HANDOUT/AFP
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sees "reason for cautious optimism" in view of the withdrawal of some soldiers in the border region with Ukraine announced by Moscow.
"There are signs from Moscow that diplomacy should continue," said Stoltenberg in Brussels.
According to the Western military alliance, there are still no signs of a withdrawal of Russian forces from the region.
"So far we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground, no signs of a reduced Russian military presence on the borders with Ukraine," Stoltenberg said at a press conference.
"We need a comprehensive troop withdrawal," Stoltenberg said of the more than 100,000 soldiers that Russia has massed on the border with Ukraine, according to Western sources.
For weeks, the United States in particular has been warning of an impending invasion of Russia by troops in Ukraine, possibly before the end of the Olympic Games on February 20.
Russia denies invasion plans.
Stoltenberg stressed that NATO was still ready to negotiate with Russia.
This is also illustrated by the visit of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to Moscow, he said.
Scholz said in Moscow that Europe is currently in a "difficult situation" and that he wanted to talk to Putin about it.
For his part, Putin named the conflict with Ukraine as a central topic of conversation.
"Unfortunately, we have to devote a significant part of our time to issues related to the situation in Europe and security, especially in relation to Ukraine." Energy supply should also be an issue, said Putin, apparently referring to the dispute over energy Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
The defense ministers of the 30 NATO countries will meet in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the crisis.
Stoltenberg again warned of the explosive nature of the current situation.
"Russia has massed combat troops in and around Ukraine like it has not since the Cold War," he said.
"Everything is ready for a new attack." But the government in Moscow still has enough time to avert war and bring about a peaceful solution.
However, the current situation is "the most serious security crisis we have seen in Europe for decades".
Russia also showed itself ready for new talks with the West.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that the dialogue with the USA and NATO on the security guarantees demanded by Russia would be continued.
It is about the non-stationing of medium-range missiles and the "reduction of military risks".
Thanks to the efforts, a "really not bad package can be worked out," said Lavrov.
Johnson is also cautiously optimistic
Russia had previously announced that after maneuvers, troops had begun to be withdrawn from the south and west of the country.
The first soldiers should return to their permanent bases as early as Tuesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in Moscow.
In addition, the loading of military technology had begun.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was also cautiously optimistic.
"Looking at today, there are clear signs of a diplomatic opening," he said.
"We see the Russian openness to talks." On the other hand, the information from the secret services is "still not encouraging."
France's government said it had not yet checked whether Russia was withdrawing some troops from the Ukrainian border.
But if the information was correct, this would be a "positive sign," said France's government spokesman Gabriel Attal.
Left calls for “troop disengagement on all sides”
The left "welcomed" the withdrawal of the first troops reported by Moscow as "an important contribution to de-escalation."
For its part, NATO should urgently refrain from moving further combat troops to the countries bordering Russia as a sign of detente,” demanded Sevim Dagdelen, chairwoman of the parliamentary group in the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Ukraine reacts cautiously
Ukraine reacted cautiously to the announced return of the first Russian soldiers to their bases.
"Only when we see a withdrawal do we believe in a de-escalation," said Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Moscow tell a lot.
Basically, Kuleba rated the diplomatic efforts of the past few weeks as a success.
Moscow was prevented from escalating the situation.
"Today is mid-February and diplomacy is still working." The package of sanctions threats, diplomacy and arms supplies that Ukraine proposed to its partners in November helped.
as /dpa/AFP/Reuters