NATO to Russia: Extract Ukraine border troops

NATO is urging Russia to follow through on its many pledges to withdraw troops along Ukraine's eastern border, saying it has seen no signs of soldiers returning to their bases.

There's no evidence of troop reductions despite Moscow's pledge to do so, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday.

A senior U.S. administration official echoed the sentiment.

Kiev said it's monitoring the situation to ensure the troops are returning to their permanent bases.

Rasmussen reiterated the need for the withdrawal and said he would "be the first" to welcome it.

"I think it's the third Putin statement on withdrawal of Russian troops ... but so far we haven't seen any withdrawal at all," he said.

"Withdrawal of Russian troops will be the first step to de-escalating the situation."

Russia and Ukrainian separatists should practice restraint to allow Ukraine's presidential election to go on as planned Sunday, Rasmussen said.

"We urge the armed pro-Russian separatist groups to stop their illegal activities. ... Russia should stop their support for these armed groups," he said.

"Russia should demonstrate a clear will to let the presidential election to go forward. The presidential election constitutes the best chance to find a sustainable solution to the crisis in Ukraine."

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NATO to Russia: Extract Ukraine border troops