MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin says he is pulling troops out of border regions near Ukraine to help create a positive environment ahead of Ukraine’s presidential vote — but adds that fighting with separatists there will make it hard for the Kremlin to deal with Ukraine’s next leader.
The pullout was meant to create “favorable conditions for Ukraine’s presidential vote and end speculation,” Putin told reporters Wednesday in Shanghai, where he attended a security summit.
In comments broadcast on Russian television, Putin referred to U.S. and NATO remarks that they weren’t seeing any sign of the Russian withdrawal, saying “those who aren’t seeing it should look better.”
The Russian Defense Ministry said military units in the regions near Ukraine should reach their home bases before June 1.
