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Putin orders troops near Ukraine to return home

By Vladimir Isachenkov
Published May 19, 2014 7:41pm ET
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Putin orders troops near Ukraine to return home
Pro-Russians rest at a checkpoint outside Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Monday, May 19, 2014. Heavy mortar fire outside the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk has damaged a large gas pipeline and set off a fire. Slovyansk has been the epicenter of fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian insurgents, who have seized government buildings across the east. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) | Alexander Zemlianichenko

MOSCOW (AP) — In what could be an attempt to ease tensions with the West and avoid more sanctions, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops deployed near Ukraine to return to their home bases Monday.

Putin also praised the launch of a dialogue between Ukraine’s government and its opponents even as fighting continued in parts of the country ahead of Sunday’s presidential election.

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