NATO secretary general not confirming withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian border

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has not confirmed the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian border and urged Moscow to begin a de-escalation of the situation.

"Unfortunately, I cannot confirm that Russia is withdrawing its troops. This is not what we are seeing. This massive military build-up can in no way contribute to a de-escalation of the situation," he told journalists in Brussels ahead of talks by the alliance's foreign ministers to be held in Brussels on April 1-2.

Rasmussen again urged Russia to withdraw its troops, fulfill its international obligations and start a constructive dialogue with the Ukrainian side.