Russia says some troops pull back near Ukraine, West seeks proof

Russia says some forces rebasing after build-up near Ukraine; NATO calls on Russia to prove will to de-escalate with actions on the ground

Russia said on Tuesday some of its troops were returning to base after exercises near Ukraine and it mocked repeated Western warnings about a looming invasion, but NATO said it had yet to see any evidence of de-escalation.

Russia did not say how many units were being withdrawn, and how far, after a build-up of some 130,000 Russian troops to the north, east and south of Ukraine that has triggered one of the worst crises in relations with the West since the Cold War.

The development drew a guarded response from Ukraine and its Western allies, but prompted a rally