![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Putin-orders-massive-strike-on-Saudi-Arabia-if-West-attacks-Syria.jpg\" "\\"President")
<\/a>Vladimir Putin has ordered troops deployed near Ukraine<\/a> to return to their home bases, the Kremlin has said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The move appears to indicate the Russian president’s intention to defuse the crisis over Ukraine, the worst in Russia<\/a>‘s relations with the west since the end of the Cold war.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The west has protested against the deployment of 40,000 Russian troops near the border with Ukraine, seeing it as a possible preparation for grabbing more land after the annexation of Crimea in <\/strong><\/span>March<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Putin has previously said he ordered troops to return from the area near the Ukraine border, but the US and Nato said they had seen no evidence of a <\/strong><\/span>pullout<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and threatened further sanctions if Russia tries to derail Ukraine’s presidential vote set for Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Russia’s defence ministry insisted there was no buildup near the border, saying troops in in western Russia were simply involved in regular training.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Putin went one step further on Monday, ordering the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, to pull out forces involved in such training in the Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, according to a statement released by the Kremlin.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Putin also voiced support for round-table talks in Ukraine, which were held last week under a peace plan brokered by Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>\n