Georgians detained by Russian troops in the Black Sea port city of Poti, are seen in a Georgian army base under the control of Russian forces in Senaki, western Georgia, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008. Russian troops entered the port of Poti on Tuesday to detain Georgian people and to loot U.S. military equipment left behind after a joint Georgian, U.S. military exercise. The movements of Russian forces in Georgia raised questions about whether Russia was fulfilling its side of the cease-fire intended to end the short but intense fighting between Georgians, Russians and its allies. (AP Photo/Vladimir Popov)

POTI, Georgia (AP) — Russia took the first steps toward a troop pullback from Georgia on Tuesday but at the same time paraded blindfolded and bound Georgian prisoners on armored vehicles and seized four U.S. Humvees.

The mixed signals came as NATO allies met in emergency session in Belgium and demanded Russia fulfill its promise to withdraw its forces from the small former Soviet republic.

A small Russian column including three tanks, three trucks, five armored personnel carriers and a rocket-launcher left Gori, the central city that straddles a vital east-west highway. A Russian officer said they were headed for South Ossetia, the disputed province at the heart of the conflict, then home to Russia.

The move toward withdrawal came on the same day as a powerful image of Russia’s grip over Georgia: Russian trucks and armored vehicles carrying about 20 Georgian men, blindfolded, handcuffed and held at gunpoint.