The European Union (EU) decided to delay the new set of sanctions against Moscow over its alleged military actions in Ukraine after Russia withdrew its forces.

The delayed sanctions come on the heels of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's vow to give pro-Russian separatists more autonomy but still maintain control over Kiev. The delay also came after Poroshenko announced that the majority of Russian troops in Ukraine already left, The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) detailed.

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Poroshenko's speech on Wednesday revealed that 70 percent of the Russian troops were "removed" from the Ukraine, based on the most recent intelligence Ukraine received. The event has greatly improved the security situation and strengthened hopes to hold the fragile cease-fire in the affected region.

"This gives us hope that there are good prospects for the peace initiative," Poroshenko said.

The said cease-fire, which began on Friday, was the first one that Kiev and Moscow agreed on since the political crisis erupted in the area five months ago.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denies that their troops breached the Ukraine border. He also dismissed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s claims that he was trying to bring back the security bloc implemented during the Cold War.

The two nations inked the truce after a five-month conflict that left 2,700 people dead and displaced 500,000 residents from their homes. However, both sides have reportedly violated the parameters of the truce sporadically.

Last month, NATO said Russia sent 1,000 soldiers and heavy weapons across the border to help the rebels fight back Ukrainian soldiers.

Putin, on the other hand, reacted by saying its "Western partners" provoked the Ukraine crisis and is using the conflict to bring back the NATO military bloc, state-run RIA Novosti news firm reported.

The suspension of the new batch of EU sanctions until Thursday came after some of the members suggested imposing the measures only if it could be retracted once the truce is held. The said members are wary of any economic repercussions by Russia.

The latest set of sanctions would prohibit Russian firms such as oil giant Rosneft and tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod from accessing the main European markets.

Russian parliament speaker Sergei Naryshkin issued a warning to their partners, saying a "response" from them will surely come if the sanctions were implemented.

TagsUkraine-Russia crisis, peace deal, EU sanctions, Petro Poroshenko