NEW : the U.S. European Command chief says he ca n't confirm Russian withdrawal from area bordering U.S. . Russia says as many as 40,000 battalion is being pulled back from border region after finishing drills . U.S. officials say Russia may have one troops near its border with Ukraine . So I think we need to think about our allies , the positioning of our forces in the alliance and the readiness of those forces in the alliance , such that we can be there to defend against it , if required , especially in the Baltics and other places . '' NATO commander Gen. Rostov says Russia has a sizable force that is `` very , very ready ''
NEW : the U.S. European Command chief says he ca n't confirm Russian withdrawal from area bordering U.S. . Russia says as many as 40,000 battalion is being pulled back from border region after finishing drills . U.S. officials say Russia may have one troops near its border with Ukraine . NATO commander Gen. Rostov says Russia has a sizable force that is `` very , very ready ''