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Putin Announces Pullback from Ukraine Border Putin Announces Pullback from Ukraine Border
(35 minutes later)
MOSCOW — In an apparent attempt to halt the spiraling violence in southeastern Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin said on Wednesday that Russia was pulling troops back from the border, and he urged Ukrainian separatists to call off a referendum on sovereignty they hoped to hold on Sunday. MOSCOW — In an apparent attempt to halt the escalating violence in southeastern Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin said on Wednesday that Russia was pulling troops back from the border, and he urged Ukrainian separatists to call off a referendum on sovereignty they had hoped to hold on Sunday.
Speaking at the Kremlin after talks with the president of Switzerland, who is acting as the chief mediator for Europe in the crisis, Mr. Putin said that Russia wanted to give diplomacy a chance.Speaking at the Kremlin after talks with the president of Switzerland, who is acting as the chief mediator for Europe in the crisis, Mr. Putin said that Russia wanted to give diplomacy a chance.
“We were told constantly about concerns over our troops near the Ukrainian border,” Mr. Putin said. “We have pulled them back. Today they are not at the Ukrainian border but in places of regular exercises, at training grounds.”“We were told constantly about concerns over our troops near the Ukrainian border,” Mr. Putin said. “We have pulled them back. Today they are not at the Ukrainian border but in places of regular exercises, at training grounds.”
NATO officials said that they saw no immediate sign that Russian forces had pulled back, news services reported from NATO’s headquarters in Brussels.NATO officials said that they saw no immediate sign that Russian forces had pulled back, news services reported from NATO’s headquarters in Brussels.
Citing negotiations between Ukrainian separatists and the interim government in Kiev, Mr. Putin also said he was appealing “to representatives of southeast Ukraine and supporters of federalization to hold off the referendum scheduled for May 11, in order to give this dialogue the conditions it needs to have a chance.”Citing negotiations between Ukrainian separatists and the interim government in Kiev, Mr. Putin also said he was appealing “to representatives of southeast Ukraine and supporters of federalization to hold off the referendum scheduled for May 11, in order to give this dialogue the conditions it needs to have a chance.”
The reaction in Kiev and among the separatists in southeastern Ukraine was a combination of suspicion and mistrust. In Ukraine there was a feeling that Mr. Putin was again seeking to manipulate the situation, while the separatists either declined to comment or said they were unsure exactly to whom the Russian leader was appealing. The reaction in Kiev and among the separatists in southeastern Ukraine was a combination of suspicion and mistrust. In Ukraine, there was a feeling that Mr. Putin was again seeking to manipulate the situation, while the separatists either declined to comment or said they were unsure about exactly to whom the Russian leader was appealing.
Mr. Putin said he wanted the authorities in Kiev to immediately halt all military actions in southeastern Ukraine, referring to them again as “punitive operations.” He also welcomed the release of militants the Ukrainians had been holding, particularly Pavel Gubarev, a “people’s governor” in Donetsk who had been detained by the Ukrainian security services.Mr. Putin said he wanted the authorities in Kiev to immediately halt all military actions in southeastern Ukraine, referring to them again as “punitive operations.” He also welcomed the release of militants the Ukrainians had been holding, particularly Pavel Gubarev, a “people’s governor” in Donetsk who had been detained by the Ukrainian security services.
“We think the most important thing now is to launch direct dialogue, genuine, full-fledged dialogue between the Kiev authorities and representatives of southeast Ukraine,” he said, standing next to Didier Burkhalter, the president of Switzerland and current head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is coordinating the mediation effort. “We think the most important thing now is to launch direct dialogue, genuine, full-fledged dialogue between the Kiev authorities and representatives of southeast Ukraine,” he said, standing next to Didier Burkhalter, the president of Switzerland and the chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is coordinating the mediation effort.
“This dialogue could give people from southeast Ukraine the chance to see that their lawful rights in Ukraine really will be guaranteed,” he said. Mr. Putin also left the door open to Russia accepting, under certain conditions, the May 25 presidential elections, which Moscow had previously rejected.“This dialogue could give people from southeast Ukraine the chance to see that their lawful rights in Ukraine really will be guaranteed,” he said. Mr. Putin also left the door open to Russia accepting, under certain conditions, the May 25 presidential elections, which Moscow had previously rejected.
“Let me stress that the presidential election the Kiev authorities plan to hold is a step in the right direction, but it will not solve anything unless all of Ukraine’s people first understand how their rights will be guaranteed once the election has taken place,” Mr. Putin said.“Let me stress that the presidential election the Kiev authorities plan to hold is a step in the right direction, but it will not solve anything unless all of Ukraine’s people first understand how their rights will be guaranteed once the election has taken place,” Mr. Putin said.
Mr. Putin was basically demanding that the mediation achieve what Russia has been seeking since the rebellion in Kiev overthrew Ukraine’s leader and Moscow’s ally, President Viktor F. Yanukovych, on Feb. 28: that Kiev grant some level of autonomy to the regions, including electing their own governors and directing their own foreign policy with their immediate neighbors.Mr. Putin was basically demanding that the mediation achieve what Russia has been seeking since the rebellion in Kiev overthrew Ukraine’s leader and Moscow’s ally, President Viktor F. Yanukovych, on Feb. 28: that Kiev grant some level of autonomy to the regions, including electing their own governors and directing their own foreign policy with their immediate neighbors.
Such a change would allow Russia some measure of control over the future direction of Ukraine and a possible veto over Ukraine’s attempts to join the European Union, or worse from Russia’s viewpoint, NATO.Such a change would allow Russia some measure of control over the future direction of Ukraine and a possible veto over Ukraine’s attempts to join the European Union, or worse from Russia’s viewpoint, NATO.
“We all want the crisis to end as soon as possible, and in such a way that takes into account the interests of all people in Ukraine no matter where they live,” said Mr. Putin, according to the official Kremlin transcript of his remarks.“We all want the crisis to end as soon as possible, and in such a way that takes into account the interests of all people in Ukraine no matter where they live,” said Mr. Putin, according to the official Kremlin transcript of his remarks.
Given Russia’s record in Crimea, where Mr. Putin repeatedly denied that Russia’s soldiers were involved, only to admit later that they were, there was some chance that it was all a feint. Previously, for example, senior defense officials have said Russia was withdrawing what Western officials said were 40,000 troops from the border to barracks. But the soldiers remained.Given Russia’s record in Crimea, where Mr. Putin repeatedly denied that Russia’s soldiers were involved, only to admit later that they were, there was some chance that it was all a feint. Previously, for example, senior defense officials have said Russia was withdrawing what Western officials said were 40,000 troops from the border to barracks. But the soldiers remained.
Both Crimea and southeastern Ukraine have large populations of ethnic Russians, and Mr. Putin has insisted on Moscow’s right to intervene to protect them if they are endangered. Western governments have accused the Kremlin of fomenting the very unrest and violence that Mr. Putin has vowed to protect ethnic Russians against.Both Crimea and southeastern Ukraine have large populations of ethnic Russians, and Mr. Putin has insisted on Moscow’s right to intervene to protect them if they are endangered. Western governments have accused the Kremlin of fomenting the very unrest and violence that Mr. Putin has vowed to protect ethnic Russians against.
The pro-Russian militants who have seized public buildings in at least a dozen cities in eastern Ukraine have said they would hold a referendum on the future of the region on Sunday, creating a possible flash point with the interim government in Kiev. The pro-Russian militants who have seized public buildings in at least a dozen cities in eastern Ukraine have said they will hold a referendum on the future of the region on Sunday, creating a possible flash point with the interim government in Kiev.
Analysts suggested that if the people in eastern Ukraine vote in the referendum Sunday to join Russia, or for independence, or they demand Russian protection in some orchestrated way, Mr. Putin will be forced to react. To avoid intervention after repeated statements that he would protect ethnic Russians everywhere would appear to be going back on his word and would make him look weak.Analysts suggested that if the people in eastern Ukraine vote in the referendum Sunday to join Russia, or for independence, or they demand Russian protection in some orchestrated way, Mr. Putin will be forced to react. To avoid intervention after repeated statements that he would protect ethnic Russians everywhere would appear to be going back on his word and would make him look weak.
“The decision was taken not to increase Russian involvement in Ukraine, and not to increase the chances of major violence there,” said Konstantin von Eggert, an independent political analyst and a commentator for Kommersant FM radio.“The decision was taken not to increase Russian involvement in Ukraine, and not to increase the chances of major violence there,” said Konstantin von Eggert, an independent political analyst and a commentator for Kommersant FM radio.
Most analysts believe that Mr. Putin wanted to avoid war, and a minor incursion into Ukraine would not have been enough to resolve the crisis there. Instead it could easily have developed into a long, bloody, expensive slog, bruising the reputation he gained in annexing Crimea with virtually no bloodshed. Most analysts believe that Mr. Putin wanted to avoid war, and a minor incursion into Ukraine would not have been enough to resolve the crisis there. Instead, it could easily have developed into a long, bloody, expensive slog, bruising the reputation he gained from annexing Crimea with virtually no bloodshed.
“This one would not have been bloodless,” said Mr. von Eggert. “This would have been a real war, not by stealth, not by new methods, but a real old-fashioned war and this is something that Mr. Putin does not want.” “This one would not have been bloodless,” said Mr. von Eggert. “This would have been a real war, not by stealth, not by new methods, but a real old-fashioned war, and this is something that Mr. Putin does not want.”
It would have also been followed by punitive Western sanctions that would have damaged Russia’s already weak economy, and cost Moscow potentially billions of dollars that it would prefer to spend at home.It would have also been followed by punitive Western sanctions that would have damaged Russia’s already weak economy, and cost Moscow potentially billions of dollars that it would prefer to spend at home.
In the past couple of weeks, as death toll suddenly rose on both sides in Ukraine, there was concern in Moscow and elsewhere that events were beginning to take on a momentum which outsiders would be unable to control. Many pointed to Yugoslavia in 1991 where the violence on the ground eventually swamped the efforts to contain it. In the past couple of weeks, as the death toll suddenly rose on both sides in Ukraine, there was concern in Moscow and elsewhere that events were beginning to take on a momentum that outsiders would be unable to control. Many pointed to Yugoslavia in 1991, where the violence on the ground eventually swamped the efforts to contain it.
“The problem is that in all these types of conflicts, once the black swans have started to fly, you will never control the situation,” said Sergei Karaganov, dean of the School of International Economics and Foreign Affairs and periodic Kremlin adviser on foreign policy. “Law and order was beginning to fall apart, and more and more groups were fighting each other.” “The problem is that in all these types of conflicts, once the black swans have started to fly, you will never control the situation,” said Sergei A. Karaganov, dean of the School of International Economics and Foreign Affairs and periodic Kremlin adviser on foreign policy. “Law and order was beginning to fall apart, and more and more groups were fighting each other.”
But pulling back from the threat, Mr. Putin seemed to be trying to reassert some measure of control. It is possible that the people holding the referendum could proceed without him, but the question of what happened next would then hang over the referendum. “It would be difficult to conduct this referendum without Russian support,” said Mr. von Eggert. By pulling back from the threat, Mr. Putin seemed to be trying to reassert some measure of control. It is possible that the people holding the referendum could proceed without him, but the question of what happened next would then hang over the referendum. “It would be difficult to conduct this referendum without Russian support,” said Mr. von Eggert.
The question on the referendum was bland enough, namely, “Do you support the act of the Declaration of the Independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic?” The question on the referendum is bland enough, namely, “Do you support the act of the Declaration of the Independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic?”
But the fallout was unpredictable. But the fallout would be unpredictable.
There was also the chance that it might have failed. Although rebels control some urban centers, they by no means control all of southeastern Ukraine. Repeated surveys have shown that only about 20 percent of the population want to join Russia. There is also the chance that it could fail. Although rebels control some urban centers, they by no means control all of southeastern Ukraine. Repeated surveys have shown that only about 20 percent of the population want to join Russia.
On Wednesday, the militants controlling at least a dozen towns in southeastern Ukraine seemed perplexed by the Kremlin’s announcement. Both Moscow and the militants have repeated said that their actions are not coordinated despite the shadowy presence of well-trained, well-armed men Ukraine accuses of being Russian military. On Wednesday, the militants controlling at least a dozen towns in southeastern Ukraine seemed perplexed by the Kremlin’s announcement. Both Moscow and the militants have repeatedly said that their actions are not coordinated, despite the shadowy presence of well-trained, well-armed men Ukraine accuses of being Russian military.
In Slovyansk, the ground zero of some of the toughest, most militarily experienced opposition to Kiev, the separatist mayor, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, first claimed that he had not heard Mr. Putin’s announcement and then confessed confusion. In Slovyansk, the ground zero of some of the toughest, most militarily experienced opposition to Kiev, the separatist mayor, Vyachislav Ponomaryov, first claimed that he had not heard Mr. Putin’s announcement and then confessed confusion.
“I don’t know exactly who he is appealing to with this request,” Mr. Ponomaryov said.“I don’t know exactly who he is appealing to with this request,” Mr. Ponomaryov said.
He said the militants were still ready to hold the referendum with the ballots prepared and polling stations being set up. He said the militants were still ready to hold the referendum, with the ballots prepared and polling stations being set up.
“If a collective decision is made not to hold the referendum, then we won’t,” he said. “Otherwise, we’re ready.”“If a collective decision is made not to hold the referendum, then we won’t,” he said. “Otherwise, we’re ready.”
A spokesman for the Donetsk People’s Republic in Donetsk declined to comment and said that his group would make a statement or hold a press-conference Thursday afternoon. A spokesman for the Donetsk People’s Republic in Donetsk declined to comment and said that his group would make a statement or hold a news conference Thursday afternoon.
If Russia really accepted the mediation route, some Ukrainian analysts thought it was a way for Mr. Putin to save face. But they were not entirely accepting.If Russia really accepted the mediation route, some Ukrainian analysts thought it was a way for Mr. Putin to save face. But they were not entirely accepting.
“I don’t have any basis to say at this point that his strategy is changing, I see that his rhetoric is changing,” said Viktor Zamyatin, a political analyst with the Kiev-based Razumkov Center think tank in Kiev. “I don’t have any basis to say at this point that his strategy is changing; I see that his rhetoric is changing,” said Viktor Zamyatin, a political analyst with the Kiev-based Razumkov Center think tank.