Nato secretary general sees ‘no sign of de-escalation on the ground’ and says organisation is developing options for bolstering eastern flank

• Russia still building forces on Ukraine border, says top Nato official
• Russian pledge of troop withdrawals met with widespread scepticism
• Biden: Ukraine invasion still ‘distinctly possible’ despite Russian claims

Britain’s defence secretary has said Russia should be judged by its actions when it comes to de-escalating tension at the Ukraine border, adding he has not seen evidence of a withdrawal of troops.

Speaking in Brussels ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers, Ben Wallace told Sky News on Wednesday morning:

We’ll take Russia at its word, but we will judge them on their actions.

Until we see a proper de-escalation, we should all be cautious about the direction of travel from the Kremlin.”

Analysis: recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk’s independence would be seen as considerable escalation

Russian lawmakers have passed a direct appeal to Vladimir Putin to recognise the Russian-controlled separatist states of Donetsk and Luhansk, providing a way to up the ante in the regional crisis without launching an attack on Ukraine.

Putin has said he will not immediately recognise the so-called republics but he is likely to wield that option as a bargaining chip as he continues to demand security guarantees from the west.