Putin orders troops withdrawal from Ukrainian border

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered thousands of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border to be pulled back to their bases, Russian media report.

Russia has been accused of supplying troops and weapons to pro-Russian rebels in easterm Ukraine. Despite agreeing on a ceasefire, the Ukrainian forces and separatists have been at loggerheads for the control of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.

Kiev and the rebels have blamed eachother for violating the deal, while moreover, Ukraine forces is also insisting that Russian forces are helping the rebels – claims which Putin has denied.

But ahead of a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the Russian president is said to have ordered that 17,600 soldiers on training exercises in the Rostov region be pulled back.

"[Mr] Putin has ordered to start the returning of troops to regular station," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in quotes carried by Interfax and Ria Novosti news agencies.

Peskov said this was because the period of training was completed.

Putin has previously announced tropp withdrawals from the Ukrainian border in March and May – withdrawals, which according to Nato and the US were not carried out.