Russia confirms 'pulling back' some troops from Ukraine side

Russia has said on Tuesday that it is pulling back some of its troops from Ukraine side after a build-up that prompted fears of an invasion. The Russian defence ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said in a statementint  It  further said that large-scale drills continued but that some units were returning to their bases. Meanwhile, the statement did not say how many troops are leaving and it is also not yet clear if it will de-escalate tensions. Russian markets reacted positively to the news and the rouble, which has been under pressure due to fears of fresh Western sanctions in the event of a war, gained 1.5% shortly after the defence ministry announcement.  On other hand, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin amid the tension between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Head of United Nations Antonio Guterres spoke to foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine and has expressed serious concern over the heightened tensions between the countries. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said during the telephonic conversation, Guterres told Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that diplomacy was the only way forward. He welcomed the ongoing diplomatic discussions to defuse tensions and underlined yet again the fact that there is no alternative to dialogue. Dujarric said Guterres was still convinced that Russia will not invade Ukraine. The Security Council is to hold an annual meeting on Ukraine and the Minsk agreements, on Thursday