US President Biden has spoken with Ukrainian President Zelensky, assuring his counterpart the west will respond “swiftly and decisively” to any further Russian aggression
The two leaders reaffirmed their pledge to seek “diplomacy and deterrence” as Moscow continues to build up troops along the border of Ukraine.
This follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling the chance of Russian military action “imminent’ as the nation’s embassy staff are evacuated from Kyiv.
Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warns military invasion would make it almost impossible to leave Ukraine.
The United States isn’t alone when it comes to mass staff evacuations, with more than a dozen other countries also making similar decisions.
Russia is continuing to deny it has any plans to invade Ukraine, with the Kremlin’s top foreign policy advisor dismissing warnings of an attack, which have largely been led by America.
Pentagon Press secretary John Kirby says Putin could lead an attack at any day now.
Prior to Biden’s call with Zelensky, the US president also spoke with Vladimir Putin, in an attempt to further de-escalate tensions.
Biden has warned Putin of “swift and severe costs” if Russia does deploy its troops across the border.
