"Cautious optimism" was how the NATO Secretary-General described the news of a possible reduction in Russian troop numbers on the Ukrainian Border.

But Jens Stoltenberg stressed they were taking nothing from Moscow at face value, and like the Ukrainians, wanted to see any de-escalation for themselves.

In a brief statement, before talks with NATO defense ministers resumed in Brussels on Wednesday, Stoltenberg said there had been "no de-escalation. Instead, NATO had seen evidence of more Russian troops heading towards Ukraine - not away from its border.

On Tuesday, the Russian defense ministry published a video that showed tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and self-propelled artillery units leaving the Crimean peninsula. Moscow has consistently denied it has any intention to invade Ukraine and defends the moving of its forces within its territory. 

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"We have not seen any withdrawal of Russian forces. And of course, that contradicts the message of diplomatic efforts," Stoltenberg said.

With defense ministers meeting in Brussels for a two-day summit, NATO is vocal in their pursuit of diplomacy as a way out of this crisis.

But a change in 'posture' in the eastern flanks of NATO territory will do nothing to improve diplomatic relations with Russia. In real terms, that means more troops and equipment in places like Romania.
 

Julianne Smith, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, told a press conference that these meetings are a chance for the organization to 'synchronize' its defensive posture.

"The alliance already is in this moment, where countries feel the need to reinforce NATO's eastern flank. Those discussions will continue in the next 48 hours as defense ministers convene here in Brussels, and they will no doubt be looking at the possibility of any additional enhancements based on what we're seeing on the ground."

As the cat and mouse game of troops in the region continues, there are hopes that long discussed talks between Russia and NATO will soon occur.

But the Russian parliament backing plans to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk as independent of Ukraine makes an already tense and complex situation even more so.

Stoltenberg described it as a "blatant violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty once again."

As the NATO defense ministers meet, expect more tough talk and threats while maintaining the desire for a diplomatic path away from war.