NATO has “felt” Russia’s openings towards a diplomatic exit from the Ukrainian crisis, but “so far we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground. On the contrary, we see an accumulation of troops” and “we have not received any responses to the written document. “which was sent to Moscow. This was underlined by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, on the sidelines of the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels. “So far – he continues – we do not see any de-escalation: we are monitoring. If they really start withdrawing troops, it will be welcome, but we still have to see” if they really will. “They have always moved troops back and forth, but the equipment” remains in place and “the trend in recent weeks and months is an increase” in the military presence on the border with Ukraine. “Russia retains the ability to conduct a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, without any warning.” “What we see – adds Stoltenberg – is a very strong military presence” on the border with Ukraine, “but also an opportunity for diplomacy. We are closely monitoring the situation. ” Therefore at NATO “we work hard for the best outcome, but we are prepared for the worst, an invasion of Ukraine” by Russian troops, he concludes.