Ukraine crisis: Moscow says some of its troops are pulling back

Moscow: Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that some of the soldiers taking part in the military drills close to the Ukrainian border were returning to their bases after completing their exercises.

The Kremlin also confirmed the development, but stressed it will continue to conduct drills on Russia's territory as it sees fit.

"We have always said that after the exercises are over ... troops would return to their permanent bases. There's nothing new here. This is a usual process," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The announcement marks a slight shift in tone, along with comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that indicated a willingness to reduce tensions and continue talks.

However, it remained unclear how many soldiers were returning to their bases and exactly where they had been stationed. The Defence Ministry also made clear that large-scale drills were still continuing.

"As combat training measures are coming to a close, the troops, as always, will conduct ... marches to their permanent garrisons," Defence Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said.

"Units of the Southern and Western Military Districts that have accomplished their tasks have already begun loading personnel and equipment on railway and auto transport means and will today begin heading to their military garrisons," he said.

What was the response to the news?
Russian markets rallied after the news with a boost of 1.5% to the rouble, following weeks of speculation that an invasion would trigger damaging sanctions.

The UK's Foreign Minister Liz Truss eyed the news warily, saying that only a full-scale departure of Russian troops from the Ukrainian border would signify Moscow's commitment to not invade its neighbor.

More than 100,000 troops are stationed in regions along the Ukrainian border, including in Belarus where troops are carrying out joint military exercises until February 20. The Russian navy is also involved in drills in the Black Sea.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for his first face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a further attempt to avoid a military conflict.

Scholz is the most recent leader to meet Putin in Moscow, following visits by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss.