NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday that limited troop movements near the border with Ukraine "may suggest" preparations for a withdrawal.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday that limited troop movements near the border with Ukraine "may suggest" preparations for a withdrawal.

"Late yesterday (Wednesday), we have seen limited Russian troop activity in the vicinity of the border with Ukraine that may suggest that some of these forces are preparing to withdraw," Rasmussen said in Montenegro.

"It is too early to say what this means, but I hope this is the start of a full and genuine withdrawal," he said.

"At present, most of the previously deployed Russian force remains near the Ukrainian border and we see continued Russian exercises in the same area."
He added: "If we see any meaningful, comprehensive and verifiable withdrawal, I would be the first to welcome it.

"This would be a first step from Russia into the right direction of living up to its international commitments, especially as Ukraine is preparing to hold important presidential elections on Sunday."

Earlier on Monday, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian troops near the border, estimated by NATO to number 40,000, were to return to bases after the end of spring exercises.

Russia's defense ministry said Thursday that four trains and more than a dozen planes had taken equipment and troops away from the area.