Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Parliament on Tuesday to cancel a resolution sanctioning the use of military force in Ukraine, a move his Ukrainian counterpart heralded as a “practical step” toward bringing peace to a region roiled by a separatist insurgency.
Putin’s announcement comes after pro-Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine said on Monday they would respect a cease-fire declared by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, raising hopes for an end to months of fighting that have killed hundreds and driven thousands from their homes.A statement on the Kremlin website announced that Putin had asked the head of Russia’s upper house of parliament to cancel his March 1 request authorising the use of force on Ukrainian territory.
Russian parliament member Valery Shnyakin said the house would vote on Wednesday on the issue, according to RIA Novosti.Russian markets, which have been rattled by the crisis in Ukraine and a host of sanctions by the US and the European Union against Russian officials and businessmen, soared 1.6 per cent on Tuesday after the news, reaching a four-month high.
The Russian leader had made the request after Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was ousted in February following months of street protests. In March, Ukraine’s Black Sea region of Crimea was annexed by Russia after being seized by troops that Putin later acknowledged were Russian army forces.Putin’s latest move reflects an effort to de-escalate the crisis ahead of a visit on Tuesday to Vienna, where he is meeting with officials from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation who have helped broker peace talks between Kiev and Moscow.