Is Putin abandoning Ukraine's rebels?

Analysts believe the Russian president may be looking for a way to save face by withdrawing support for pro-Russian separatists

Putin heads off to watch military exercises
(Image credit: MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/AFP/Getty Images)

President Putin appears to be moving towards a face-saving settlement in eastern Ukraine, but with Ukrainian government troops on the front foot it is unclear whether Kiev is in any mood to offer Russia an easy way out.

In the past few weeks, Putin has been withdrawing Russian commanders and diminishing his support for pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, the New York Times says.

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