Russo-Ukrainian War

U.S. President Joe Biden said he would not send troops to save Americans fleeing the country if Russia attacked.
Biden told NBC News that things could quickly spiral out of control, Reuters reports.
The U.S. State Department previously called on Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately due to, as they claim, "increased threats from Russia's military action".

US President Joe Biden urged Americans Thursday to immediately leave Ukraine, as Russia's live-fire drills and build-up of troops around the ex-Soviet state deepened fears of an invasion.

Washington-Moscow tensions are at their highest since the Cold War, with some US estimates saying some 130,000 Russian soldiers are grouped in dozens of combat brigades near the border with Ukraine.

On the other hand, there is an increased military presence of NATO forces in the eastern countries of the Alliance.
"Russia has a choice: they can choose a diplomatic solution, but if they choose a confrontation, they will pay a high price," Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Brussels, Reuters reports.

Chizov told BBC that Russia does not intend to attack anyone, but warned that it is important not to provoke Moscow to change its mind.
"We certainly believe that there is room for diplomacy," Chizov said, adding that additional negotiations could lead to results.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready for compromise and would look at proposals put forward by French leader Emmanuel Macron during talks on Feb. 7, while still blaming the West for raising tensions over Ukraine.

"An agreement to avoid a full-scale war in Ukraine is possible, and Russia's concerns about its own security are legitimate", said French President Emmanuel Macron. He is in Moscow for talks on the crisis with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The visit is part of a diplomatic shuttle to avoid conflict.

With war clouds gathering over Ukraine, international diplomacy goes into overdrive on Monday with the French and Russian presidents to talk in Moscow and the German chancellor heading to the White House to meet with US leader Joe Biden.

Thousands took part in the March for Unity in Kharkiv. The city is located about 40 km from the Russian border.

Senior US officials have warned that if Russia decides to carry out a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it could lead to tens of thousands of casualties. In the New York Times, US officials say such an invasion could take the lives of up to 50,000 civilians and cause a refugee crisis in Europe.

Russia has stepped up preparations for an all-out invasion of Ukraine but it is not clear if Moscow has decided to take such a step, US officials have said citing intelligence assessments.