MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq on Wednesday greeted the ongoing withdrawal of Russian troops to their bases following the end of military exercises close to the border with Ukraine.
"Anything that helps to bring down the temperature in the region, that can help reduce tensions, is welcome," the UN spokesman said at a press briefing.
"From the very start we have urged the leaders in Moscow and Kiev to be in contact with each other and to take steps to de-escalate tensions and the signs that they are doing so are very welcome," Farhan Haq added.
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to begin the withdrawal of some 17,600 troops who took part in military drills in the southern Rostov Region on the border with Ukraine. Hours later, the Defense Ministry reported that the redeployment of the troops had already begun as ordered.
The Russian troops have been stationed in the country's west since summer to participate in massive drills, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said. He stressed the war games were not linked to the crisis in Ukraine, though the West has consistently accused Russia of being militarily involved in the conflict.
In the past several months, the Russian Armed Forces held a number of military drills in the western regions of the country. The exercises that took place close to the Ukrainian border were criticized by a number of NATO member states.
