hala, i believe it is at the very most a repositioning of the russian forces. i don t think they re really de-escalating, and i don t think that they are withdrawing. and it looks as if the russians are not being true to their word in this case. so why say it? because i think it gives them the idea that a little diplomatic leverage for them, and it makes it look as if they are doing something that is related to perhaps a peaceful resolution of this crisis. but, in es sence, it gives them cover, hala. it gives them cover to do other things, and it also serves to dec deceive, and that, i think, is really the difficult part of it. but it does work not only with their military doctrine but also