Jerusalem24 – The Russian Defense Ministry announced the end of military exercises and the withdrawal of part of its forces from the Crimea, while US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed on the need to verify Russia’s announcement of the start of withdrawing its forces from the border with Ukraine.
The Russian Defense said in a statement on Wednesday that the units of the Southern Military Territory had finished their tactical exercises at the bases of the Crimea and had begun to return via the railways to their original barracks.
This came one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin called for continuing dialogue with the West to reach a solution to the Ukrainian crisis.
On the withdrawal of Russian forces, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News on Wednesday that Russia should be judged by its actions when it comes to easing tension on the Ukrainian border.
“We will believe what Russia says, but we will judge them based on their actions,” he added.
In a related context, US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed, during a phone call, to fully coordinate against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The White House said in a statement, that the two presidents discussed ongoing deterrence efforts in coordination with allies, including the readiness to impose severe consequences and strengthening the defensive position in the eastern flank of NATO.
“Biden and Macron affirmed their continued support for the diplomatic process to resolve the crisis between Ukraine and Russia,” he added.
For its part, the French presidency confirmed in a statement that Biden and Macron agreed to maintain full coordination in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
