RFE
12 Nov 2019, 17:45 GMT+10
Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists say they have completed a pullback of troops and weapons from a third frontline area in eastern Ukraine.
The move is one of a series of confidence-building measures that could pave the way for a four-way summit aimed at ending the conflict in Luhansk and Donetsk regions that has killed more than 13,000 people since April 2014.
Ukraine's military said its forces completed the withdrawal from the settlements of Petrivske and Bohdanivka in the Donetsk region at noon on November 11.
A total of 42 servicemen, three armored vehicles, and 48 small arms were moved 1 kilometer back, according to Oleksandr Shtupun, a Ukrainian military spokesman.
Mine clearance in the area is set to begin on November 12, after monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have confirmed the withdrawal of forces.
A representative of the separatists in the Luhansk region previously said they had fully withdrawn from the area.
The disengagement began on November 9 following a recent similar withdrawal in two others sections of the front line in the neighboring Luhansk region.
The mutual withdrawal of military forces from the three frontline areas stem from a breakthrough in talks between Kyiv and Moscow on October 1 that set preconditions for a face-to-face, four-way meeting to end the conflict.
Also on November 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed plans for holding a summit between Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany in a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, according to the Kremlin.
Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said there was a 'possibility that the summit could be held before the end of the year.'
Known as the Normandy format, the last four-way talks took place in October 2016.
With reporting by AP, UNIAN, Interfax, and TASS
Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Republished with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036
Get a daily dose of Austin Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Austin Globe.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...
PARIS, France: Fast-fashion giant Shein has been fined 40 million euros by France's antitrust authority over deceptive discount practices...
PALO ALTO/TEL AVIV: The battle for top AI talent has claimed another high-profile casualty—this time at Safe Superintelligence (SSI),...
FRANKLIN, Tennessee: Hundreds of thousands of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are being recalled across the United States due to a potential...
REDMOND, Washington: Microsoft is the latest tech giant to announce significant job cuts, as the financial strain of building next-generation...
LONDON UK - U.S. stock markets were closed on Friday for Independence Day. Global Forex Markets Wrap Up Friday with Greeback Comeback...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a significant ruling last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for users...
(Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images) Aaron Judge hit his 33rd home run of the season and finished with three RBIs to help...
(Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images) The Washington Wizards completed a three-team trade on Sunday, acquiring guard CJ McCollum,...
(Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) Zack Wheeler threw a dazzling one-hitter with 12 strikeouts as the Philadelphia Phillies...
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images) League rebounding leader Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and assists leader Alyssa...
WASHINGTON, 6th July, 2025 (WAM) -- US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a major disaster declaration for Kerr County in the...