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February 15, President Joe Biden delivered his first comments about the situation in Ukraine directly to the American people. Biden spoke from the White House during a day of continued negotiations and developments over the pending crisis.
“We are ready with diplomacy,” Biden said. “And we are ready to respond decisively to a Russian attack on Ukraine, which is still very much a possibility.”
A Russian attack on Ukraine “remains very much a possibility” but the human cost would be “immense”, US President said.
“The United States and NATO are not a threat to Russia. Ukraine is not a threat to Russia. Neither the US nor NATO have missiles in Ukraine. We do not – do not – have plans to put them there, as well. We’re not targeting the people of Russia; we do not seek to destabilize Russia. To the citizens of Russia, you are not our enemy,” Biden said.
Read also: 60% of Europeans believe NATO should come to Ukraine’s defence if Russia invades, – poll
In recent weeks, Russia has amassed over 130,000 troops near Ukraine’s border according to various estimates, raising fears from Western and Ukrainian intelligence officials that an invasion could be imminent. February 15, the Russian defense ministry assured that some of its troops return to base after completing recent drills, but stressed that major military exercises would continue.
Russia now has 80% of the forces in place that would be needed to begin a full-scale invasion, compared to 70% exactly a week ago. The continuing buildup is one reason the Biden administration is now warning an invasion can come within days. Russia could invade Ukraine at any moment, British foreign minister Liz Truss said following a meeting of the government’s crisis response committee.
Last week and through the weekend, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, publicly warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen in the coming days.
Read also: The security situation in Ukraine. Not to believe rumors and not to panic (VIDEO)
Earlier, US President Biden and UK PM Johnson “agreed there remained a crucial window for diplomacy and for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine.”
