There are looming questions regarding Russia’s claims of a troop pull back on the border with Ukraine – but according to NATO, there is still no sign of a de-escalation

NATO says that there is no sign that Russian forces are de-escalating near Ukraine, despite claims from the Kremlin that it is pulling some troops back from the border.

Nato’s secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg stated that Moscow still had a huge force ready to attack its neighbour, and he warned that the threat from Russia had become a “new normal”, adding that the defensive alliance was considering strengthening its eastern flank.

The Kremlin responded to claims by Mr Stoltenberg, denying the assessment of the situation

A spokesman for the Kremlin reiterated that some troops were being withdrawn following the completion of military drills.

Russia’s defence ministry also published video on Wednesday which showed tanks leaving Moscow-annexed Crimea.

Mr Stoltenberg spoke at a summit of Nato defence ministers in Brussels this week and stated that the alliance was considering setting up new battlegroups – the smallest type of self-sufficient military units – in central and south-eastern Europe.

NATO will do this as part of ongoing measures to bolster European defence, they say.

France had offered to lead one such battle group in Romania, he said.