TODAY: Kiev says Russia has withdrawn troops; new E.U. and U.S. sanctions announced; ruble hits historic low; Ukraine now lacking 5bn cubic meters of gas, Poland and Slovakia report import deficits from Gazprom; Russia working to fix China pipeline plans; local elections, Crimean rights, Tolstoy.

Kiev says that Russia has withdrawn most of its forces from Ukrainian territory following its most recent military offensive.  Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded to new sanctions from the European Union, saying that they indicate Europe’s ‘choice against a peaceful resolution of the inter-Ukrainian crisis’, and said Amnesty International was making a ‘profound mistake’ in accusing Russia of being involved in the fighting.  Russia is preparing retaliatory measures against the E.U. in the form of new import embargoes on clothing and cars.  The ruble has hit a historic low against the dollar.  U.S. President Barack Obama will reveal details of new U.S. sanctions later today, aimed at halting oil exploration in Russia by international companies and limiting the access of major banks to U.S. debt and equity markets; but his government has also indicated that America’s strategy against I.S. could involve Russian participation.