Putin orders end to military drills amid Ukraine crisis
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Moscow (dpa) - President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military to end exercises near the border with Ukraine on time, his spokesman said Tuesday, as Western powers upped pressure on the Kremlin over Russia's bloodless takeover of Crimea.
The Moscow stock exchange rose after the decision, which appears to be designed to allay fears of war in the region that Russia seized after Ukrainian protesters toppled president Viktor Yanukovich's Moscow-backed government and installed pro-Western interim leaders.
About 150,000 soldiers taking part in the drills involving airplanes, tanks and ships will return to their bases on March 7, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Interfax news agency.
Ukraine's new leaders said Russia's takeover of Crimea, where the Russian army has bases, is an act of war. Russia said its intervention was necessary to protect its interests and those of theRussian-speaking majority on the Black Sea peninsula.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected in Kiev Tuesday to support Ukraine's interim leaders.
Financial markets in Moscow fell and the ruble hit a record low against the dollar Monday as the European Union and United States threatened sanctions against Russia.
US President Barack Obama said his administration was considering diplomatic and economic measures to isolate Russia.
