Tom Balmforth, Dmitry Antonov

MOSCOW, (Reuters) – Russia announced Tuesday that its military units had returned to base after conducting exercises close to Ukraine. The announcement came following warnings from the U.S. government and Britain that Moscow could invade any moment.

Following the initial 130,000 Russian soldiers to the south and north of Ukraine, it wasn’t clear exactly how many of these units would be withdrawn and from what distance.

While the news received a cautious reaction from Britain and Ukraine, it sparked a sharp rise in financial markets.

We’ve said that the troops would return to base after exercises have ended. Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin spokesperson) stated that it is true this time.

Peskov accused the United States for fueling the crisis, warning of an imminent invasion repeatedly. To the point that Peskov claimed President Vladimir Putin made jokes about it.

He asks us to determine if there has been any publication of the precise time and hour of the beginning of war. Peskov said that it is impossible to comprehend this insane information madness.

Britain, who, along with the United States, has been the leader in warnings about imminent action, responded cautiously.

LBC radio’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stated that the Russians claimed they don’t plan to invade, however we need to witness a complete withdrawal of troops in order to prove that this is accurate.

Dmytro Kuleba is Ukraine’s Foreign Minister. He stated that Kyiv could only think that Russia was trying to deescalate tensions if it witnessed for its own sake that Russian troops were being withdrawn.

Interfax Ukraine quotes him saying that if there is a withdrawal we would believe in de-escalation.

According to a Russian defense ministry spokesperson, large-scale drills in the country were still ongoing. However, units belonging to the Western and Southern military regions adjacent to Ukraine have completed their exercises. They are now returning to base.

After completing drills in the area, the Southern military District reported that its forces began to withdraw from Crimea.

A video of some tanks and armoured vehicles loaded on railway flatcars was released by the defense ministry.

Fears of conflict have caused Russian shares and government bonds, as well as the ruble, to rise sharply. Ukrainian government bonds, however, also rose.

“February 15, 2022, will go down as the day Western war propaganda failed.” Maria Zakharova spokeswoman at the Russian Foreign Ministry. She stated that Russia had destroyed and harmed without firing one shot.

According to the U.S.-based private firm that published the images, these latest developments were the result of commercial satellite imagery taken Sunday and Monday showing a rush of Russian military activity near several Ukrainian locations.

U.S.-based Maxar Technologies, (NYSE:), pointed out the arrival of large numbers of troops and attack helicopters. There were also new deployments for fighter-bomber and ground attack planes at forward locations.

Russia’s defense minister had stated earlier in the day that certain military exercises continued, while other were ending and some were closing down. The end of a joint Russian-Belarus exercise is scheduled for Sunday.

SCHOLZ MISSION

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, flew to Moscow Tuesday for a meeting with Putin at the Kremlin as part of the West’s latest diplomatic mission seeking de-escalation.

Scholz said that he will make it clear to the Western governments that Russia is open for dialogue on its security concerns. However, if Russia invades Ukraine, he will place sanctions.

On Monday, the chancellor of Germany, who was elected in December, traveled to Kyiv, where he stated that Germany and its allies are ready to implement coordinated and far-reaching sanctions.

Moscow could face severe sanctions by Germany, however Russia’s position as Europe’s largest trade partner and greatest Russian-language consumer may limit Berlin’s options.

Russia denied ever planning an invasion, but it says the West must take NATO’s security concerns seriously.

“We will never invade Ukraine unless that is what we are provoked,” Vladimir Chizhov, Russia’s envoy in the European Union was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.

You shouldn’t be surprised that we respond if the Ukrainians attack Russia. Or, if they start blatantly killing Russian citizens anywhere – Donbass or wherever.”

Moscow has been warned by the United States that it may attempt to launch a false flag operation in order to start a war. Moscow accused the West arousing panic.