Russia announced to the West on Sunday it would start pulling out its forces on Monday, after a war that dealt a humiliating blow to Georgia and raised fears for fuel supplies to Europe.

'I hope he intends to honor the pledge this time,' Dr Rice said of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, on NBC's 'Meet the Press.'

She noted that the Russians had also said earlier in the crisis that they would start pulling troops from Georgia but had not done so. 'This time I hope he means it ... People are going to begin to wonder if Russia can be trusted.' -- REUTERS