U.S. sees no sign indicating pullback of Russian troops from border: White House

The United States sees no indication that Russian troops are pulling back from the Russian border with Ukraine, the White House said Monday.

"It's fair to say that we would know and would be able to confirm for you if the Russian military had in fact moved back ... but we have not yet seen any indication that that's the case," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters at a regular briefing.

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the troops to return to their permanent bases following the completion of planned drills in the border region.

Carney said the United States sees Putin's order as "a welcome announcement," while noting that the United States have "heard that promise before, and have yet to see any indication that it's been fulfilled."

Carney also urged Russia to use its influence with separatists in eastern and southern Ukraine to ensure that they will not undermine the electoral process in Ukraine. He reiterated that the United States and its European partners will slap more sanctions on Russia should it take steps to undermine Ukraine's presidential election on Sunday.