Signs of peace | On Russian Pullback | From Ukraine Border |

 Russia’s decision to pull back some troops suggests it sees potential in proposals (प्रस्तावों; formally suggested plans) by Macron and Scholz

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Russia’s announcement that it is pulling back some troops from Ukraine’s borders is the strongest signal of de-escalation (हिंसा कि तीव्रता का कम होना; reduction of the intensity of a conflict) from Moscow. Russia has always maintained that it had no plans to attack Ukraine. But the massive troop mobilisation (विशाल सेना का जमावड़ा; assemblage of a large number of soldiers) on the three flanks (सीमाओं; borders of the country) of Ukraine, which included combat aircraft, warships and S400 missile defence systems, had raised fears of war.

Besides, the U.S.’s warning that a Russian invasion (आक्रमण; entering a place to attack and take control over it) could come “any day” and its decision to shut the American embassy in Kiev added to the frenzy (नियंत्रण-विहीन अत्‍यधिक उत्तेजना; a state of emotion that cannot be controlled). The Russian approach appeared to have been rooted (अत्याधिक प्रभाव का प्रतीत होना; was strongly influenced) in building military pressure around Ukraine to gain diplomatic leverage (राजनयिक उत्तोलन; power to control negotiation) in talks with the West.

In the last few weeks, European leaders, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Olaf Scholz, have visited Moscow. Of these, the diplomatic interventions (राजनयिक हस्तक्षेप; negotiations that are done carefully)  by Mr. Macron, who called for respecting Russian security concerns and sought to revive (पुनर्जीवित; to make popular or bring back to life) the Minsk agreement on Ukraine’s civil strife, and Mr. Scholz, who said in Kiev that Ukraine’s entry into NATO was “not on the agenda right now”, were significant.

Their talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin opened a diplomatic path towards de-escalation. It is too early to say that the crisis is over. The complex issue is rooted in Russia’s security concerns and NATO’s expansionary (विस्तारवादी; related to growth and build up) open-door policy with no quick solutions.

But the suggestions from the talks Russia and the West have had point to a formula for peace. Russia’s three concerns (चिंताएं; causes of worry) are: one, it does not want neighbours Georgia and Ukraine to be members of NATO. Two, it wants NATO (read the U.S.) to roll back (हटाना;remove) its military presence and drills (सैन्य अभ्यास; exercise or marching done by soldiers) from Eastern Europe and the Black Sea. Three, it wants the Ukraine crisis — the civil conflict (नागरिक संघर्ष; a war between groups of people living in the country) between Kiev and the Russia-backed separatists (संप्रदायवादी; the people who want to separate themselves from a larger body) in Donbas — to be resolved through the Minsk process.

In talks with Mr. Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden has already said the U.S. does not have any plan to deploy (काम में तैनात करना; move into position for military action) offensive weapons or permanent combat troops to Ukraine and that Washington was open to reducing drills and missiles in Eastern Europe on a reciprocal basis (पारस्परिक आधार; on a foundation of helping and agreeing with each other).

Mr. Macron has taken steps to revive the Minsk II deal to address Ukraine’s internal crisis. And then Mr. Scholz practically ruled out Ukraine joining NATO in the “foreseeable future (निकट भविष्य; in near future) ”. Put together, this is a comprehensive package (व्यापक सौदा;a deal that includes everything) that could accommodate (समायोजित; help to fit in or adjust) Russia’s security concerns and the West’s fears of Russian aggression.

Moscow’s decision to pull back troops partially suggests that it sees potential in these proposals. Russia might keep some troops on the border to retain the pressure (दबाव जारी रखना;continue to give pressure). But the obvious next step is to take these proposals to solid agreements through diplomacy. The West and Russia should take that road aimed at finding a lasting solution (स्थायी समाधान; a way out that stays for a long time) to Europe’s most dangerous security crisis. 

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