MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's defense ministry says its military units in the regions near Ukraine have begun moving to railway stations and airfields en route to their home bases. And they're expected to arrive before June 1.

Still, NATO says it hasn't seen any signs of a pullout of some 40,000 Russian troops along the border with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal Monday in what could be an attempt to ease tensions with the West over Ukraine and avoid further sanctions.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL