Ukraine Says Most Russian Troops Have Moved Back Across Border

[Purveyor]

Source: Guardian UK

Luke Harding, and agencies in Kiev
theguardian.com, Wednesday 10 September 2014 09.56 EDT

Kiev says Russia has now largely withdrawn its forces, following a major military offensive last month that pushed back Ukrainian troops and gave separatist rebels the upper hand.

Speaking in a televised cabinet meeting, President Petro Poroshenko said: "According to the latest information I have received from our intelligence, 70% of Russian troops have been moved back across the border. This further strengthens our hope that the peace initiatives have good prospects."

Ukraine and the west have repeatedly accused Russia of fuelling the five-month pro-Russian rebellion with arms, vehicles and undercover Russian troops. Moscow denies the claim. In late August, Nato estimated that more than 1,000 Russian soldiers were operating covertly inside Ukraine, as part of a major separatist effort to roll back advances by Kiev.

Poroshenko said parts of east Ukraine would be given special status. He stressed, however, that Ukraine would remain a sovereign and united entity, under the terms of a peace deal agreed in Minsk last Friday.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/10/ukraine-russia-troops-border-east-poroshenko

[geek tragedy]

1. Rebels are demanding secession and

full independence, so those Russians aren't going very far.

[cosmicone]

2. It was easy for them to go back

since they were not in Ukraine in the first place

[LanternWaste]

3. Many people do seem to pretend that's the case...

Many people do seem to pretend that's the case...

[ballyhoo]

5. Petro needs to get back to real fudge

and stop the phony fudging.

[ballyhoo]

7. Whoa! Cosmicone, did you see this? The Petronistas won't like this.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/11084600/Its-time-to-back-away-from-the-Russian-wolf.html

[cosmicone]

8. This will make a lot of ukrainistas slit their wrists

or take a bottle of antacids.

[ballyhoo]

9. LOL I agree.

[candelista]

4. Ah, disappearing troops!

What else can you show me, Mr. Poroshenko?

[Igel]

6. Like saying there are crowds at Atlantic beaches.

Where are they a couple of weeks after the season closes? You mean thousands of people can actually pick up and leave an area?

Some proof beyond any doubt is hard to come by. Esp. for the faithful.