Russian troops near the Ukrainian border will return to its permanent bases after completing its military exercises, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said, calling for a "de-escalation" of rhetoric.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on 12 people in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea, including deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin and two aides to President Vladimir Putin.
The aides, Vladislav Surkov and Sergey Glazyev, form part of an extended list to the one drawn up earlier this month.
The list prevents those included from travelling to the EU, while freezing any assets they hold within the EU.
An unusually frank Nato Secretary General issued an unequivocal warning on the course of events should Russia attack Latvia or Estonia.
The West responds with sanctions and closer political ties with Ukraine as Russia's President seals the annexing of Crimea to much fanfare.
Supporters of the controversial fracking industry believe shale gas could be America's most potent weapon in the stand-off with Russia.