U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad said Tuesday Russia's announcement to halt its offensive against Georgia is "positive."
"Certainly what has been announced today is positive compared to what we heard yesterday," Khalilzad said in an interview with the National Public Radio.
Khalilzad said the United States is waiting to see if Russia is withdrawing its troops and will accept international monitoring of the cease-fire agreement.
Khalilzad made the comments after President Dmitry Medvedev ordered Tuesday a halt to the Russian offensive against Georgia.
"I have taken the decision to end the operation to force Georgian authorities into peace. The aggressor has been punished and suffered significant losses, its military has been disorganized," Medvedev said.
Georgia began a military action against South Ossetia's forces last week in an attempt to re-establish control over the region. In response, Russian troops moved into the region to fight the Georgian forces.