DHAKA: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a "partial withdrawal" of troops from the border with Ukraine, the German government said.

Putin informed Chancellor Angela Merkel of the move in a telephone conversation, according to her office.

Thousands of Russian soldiers are still said to be deployed along the border.

Earlier, Ukraine condemned a visit to Crimea by Russia`s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and a delegation of government ministers.

A foreign ministry spokesman in Kiev said the highest-level trip to the Black Sea peninsula by officials from Moscow since its annexation by Russia was a "crude violation" of international rules.

A note protesting against the presence of an official in "the territory of another state without preliminary agreement" had been sent, he added.

Crimeans voted to leave Ukraine for Russia on 16 March, in a referendum condemned as illegal by the UN General Assembly.

Mr Medvedev announced that he would make Crimea a special economic zone, with tax breaks and reduced bureaucracy to attract investors.

He also vowed to quickly boost salaries and pensions, and to improve education, healthcare and local infrastructure.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1218 HRS, APR 01, 2014