Hope Russia accepts election results of Ukraine: US

They also hoped that Russia would take steps to engage with the Ukrainian government

Urging it to participate in the democratic process in Ukraine, the White House has said they would welcome Russia's acknowledgment and acceptance of the results of a free and fair election in that country.

"We would welcome an indication from Russia that they will accept the results of a free and fair democratic election in Ukraine. We certainly hope that would be the case," White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, told reporters while travelling with the US President on Air Force One.

"We further urge Russia to use its influence to persuade separatists in eastern Ukraine and elsewhere to vacate buildings they've occupied, to lay down their weapons, to cease the activities that they've engaged in that have caused violence and instability in those parts of Ukraine, and instead to participate in the democratic process in that country," Carney said.

We'll have to see whether, in fact, Russia does recognise and then take steps to engage with the Ukrainian government and the victor of the presidential election, he said.

"Right now we're focused on Ukraine's ability to carry out that election freely and fairly. We appreciate the efforts of the OSCE in assisting Ukraine to help that come about," he added.

Meanwhile the Pentagon said a small number of Russian troops are moving away from Ukrainian border, but thousands more remain in place.

"We have seen continued activity of preparations for departure of some units, not all. We have seen the movement of some units, not all," Pentagon Press Secretary, Rear Admiral, John Kirby, told reporters.

"I can tell you that on a small scale we have actually seen the movement of some units away from the border region, apparently back to what we would consider garrison, their home base," Kirby said.

State Department Deputy Press Secretary, Marie Harf, said the US would welcome Russia's acknowledgment and acceptance of the election results.

"In a vast majority of the country they're ready to have them, and where it's been challenging, the Ukrainian Government's working to do the best they can to still allow people to vote," she said.

"But at the same time, we would encourage Russia to use its influence with separatists to urge them to cease their violent activities and lay down their arms. We have seen - particularly in a couple places in the east - these separatists trying purposefully to disrupt the elections with violence, taking over of government buildings, taking ballot boxes, taking voter registration lists," Harf said.