In the most recent western statement refuting Moscow's announcement to withdraw a number of its troops, the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Plinkin, said that his

country had not observed any withdrawal of Russian troops from the border with Ukraine.

He added: "Russian units continue to move towards the border with Ukraine, not the other way around."

The British Defence Minister, Ben Wallace, said earlier today that London had yet to see any evidence that Moscow was withdrawing its troops from positions near the Ukrainian border.

He stressed that Russia must be judged by its actions when it came to defusing tensions on the border with Ukraine.

Russia had announced the withdrawal of a number of its troops stationed on the border with Ukraine, but the West met the move with great caution.