The United States says it would welcome any Russian move to pull its forces back from the Ukrainian frontier but isn't confirming reports that it has begun to do so.
"If reports that Russia is removing some troops from the border region are accurate, it would be a welcome preliminary step," US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Monday.
"We would urge Russia to accelerate this process," she added, in a statement issued during US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Israel.
"We also continue to urge Russia to engage in a dialogue with the government in Kiev to de-escalate the situation, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
US officials said Kerry had spoken to Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov by phone from his plane before arriving in Israel.
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Earlier, Ukraine had reported Russian troops had partially pulled back from its border, reducing fears Moscow may launch an operation to grab more territory from its neighbour.
