Washington  - There is no prospect the United States will use military force to resolve the ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.

"The United States spent 45 years working very hard to avoid a military confrontation with Russia," Gates said, referring to the Cold War. "I see no reason to change that approach today."

President George W Bush on Wednesday ordered the US military to lead a "vigorous" humanitarian mission in Georgia to provide assistance after the week-long Russian onslaught in the former Soviet republic.

Bush's move prompted speculation that the United States was on course for a military confrontation with Russian forces.

"I don't see any prospect for the use of military force by the United States in this situation," Gates told reporters. "Is that clear enough?"

Gates said there are indications that Russia has begun pulling back from position deep in Georgian territory back toward the combat zones in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two breakaway regions that were the source of the larger conflict.

Gates said there appears to be no attempt by the Russians to block roads, sea lanes or airspace that are vital to the humanitarian mission. (dpa)