President of Russia Vlaidmir Putin ordered to pull troops back after drills near the Ukrainian border.

Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu to return troops participating in drills in Rostov, Belgorod and Brytansk regions back to the places where they are permanently deployed, Kremlin said in a statement.

President welcomed the first contacts between Kyiv and federalization supporters aimed at establishing direct dialogue with the participation of the concerned parties, the statement said.