Correspondents said removing the troops, estimated to number 40,000, could help de-escalate the Ukraine crisis.

Speaking ahead of a Nato summit, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the military build-up would not help de-escalate tensions in the region.

Investors are hopeful the Sino-U.S. trade talks later in the day will help de-escalate a trade war that has hurt Asian exporters.

Still, it is morally unacceptable to handle students in such a violent manner and police should help de-escalate disputes, not resort to violence.

The opposition refused to cast their votes on an amnesty law, which Yanukovich loyalists hope will help de-escalate two months of street unrest.

Western heads of state say they are considering fresh sanctions against Russia over its alleged failure to help de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner said Trump's "taunting tweets" to Iran did not help de-escalate tensions, a stated goal of the Trump administration.