Morgan Winsor, Ivan Pereira, and Nadine El-Bawab - ABC News
The United States continues to warn that Russia could invade Ukraine "any day" amid escalating tensions in the region, with President Joe Biden telling reporters Thursday that the threat is now "very high." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, making urgent remarks to the United Nations Security Council, challenged Moscow to commit to no invasion.
More than 150,000 Russian troops are estimated to be massed near Ukraine's borders, U.S. officials have said. While Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin claim that some troops have begun to withdraw, Biden told reporters that more Russian forces have moved in, contrary to Moscow's claims.
It remains unclear whether Putin has made a decision to attack his ex-Soviet neighbor. Russia has denied any plans to invade and reiterated its demands that the U.S. and NATO bar Ukraine from joining the military alliance.
Vice President meets with Ukrainian President in Munich
Vice President Kamala Harris and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Munich for the first time, just one day after President Joe Biden said it wouldn't be wise for him to leave his country.
Harris told Zelenskyy this is a "decisive moment" in history, making this an “important meeting” for them to be having, among other reasons. Harris reiterated the U.S. position on the sovereignty of Ukraine and warned, again, of sanctions if Russia invades.
“If Russia further invades your country, as I mentioned earlier today, we will impose swift and severe economic sanctions. We have been clear about that. We are also clear that we would prefer that this would be resolved in a diplomatic way, and we have remained open to a diplomatic path to resolution. However, if Russia takes aggressive action against Ukraine, we are prepared to implement and to do that work in a unified way with our allies around the world,” Harris said.
Speaking through a translator, Zelenskyy said that the only thing his country wants is to have “peace” and expressed his gratitude to the US for its support, including defense capabilities.
Vice President Harris addresses Munich Security Conference
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, just hours after President Joe Biden said he is convinced Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine.
“I am certain we all recognize this year's gathering is unlike those of the recent past, not since the end of the Cold War as this forum convened under such dire circumstances today, as we are all aware, the foundation of European security is under direct threat in Ukraine," Harris told the crowd. Harris laid out how the United States believes an invasion would get under way.
"Russia will plead ignorance and innocence. It will create false pretext for invasion, and it will amass troops and firepower in plain sight we now receive reports of what appears to be provocations and we see Russia spreading disinformation, lies and propaganda. Nonetheless, in a deliberate and coordinated effort, we together are one, exposing the truth and two, speaking with a unifying voice," Harris said.
Harris reiterated that the U.S. has worked to find a way to de-escalate and remains open to diplomacy, but Russia's actions do not match their words and would pay a price if they attack, she said.
"And let me be clear: I can say with absolute certainty, if Russia further invades Ukraine, the United States together with our allies and partners will impose significant and unprecedented economic costs," Harris said. Harris was joined by a bipartisan group of Democrats and Republicans to show U.S. commitment to the NATO partnership.
Harris also noted U.S. efforts to bolster military posture, stressing, "our forces will not be deployed to fight inside Ukraine. But they will defend every inch of NATO territory since Russia launched its proxy war against Ukraine."
Putin oversees missile drill from Moscow
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has overseen strategic missile drills, amid the ongoing tensions around Ukraine, watching a barrage of practice launches of several of Russia’s most advanced weapons, including hypersonic weapons and an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Russian state media showed Putin watching the volley of missile launches in a control center in Moscow, sitting alongside Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who is also hosting huge Russian military exercises in his country amid U.S. warnings the Kremlin may launch an attack on Kyiv.
The drills included launches of two hypersonic missiles, the Kinzhal from a fighter jet and a Zircon anti-ship missile from a warship. A Yars ICBM was launched from Russia’s Kapustin Yar site and a Sineva ballistic missile fired from a submarine in the Barents Sea, Russia’s defense ministry said.
Russia’s military also released video showing the launches of a Kalibr cruise missile and an Islander ballistic missile. Putin stages the demonstrative drills as tensions continued to escalate in eastern Ukraine, amid warnings from the US Russian preparing to invade the country within the coming days. The Russian president has previously trumpeted the missiles as the most advanced in the world.
Ukraine's foreign minister to meet Blinken in Washington
Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is expected to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Tuesday, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said. Kuleba is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York the following day.
Russia-backed separatists declare 'general mobilization'
A leader of the Russian-controlled separatists in eastern Ukraine declared a "general mobilization" on Saturday, according to Russian state news agencies.
The head of the separatists' self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, made the announcement.
Pushilin's comments come after the separatists yesterday announced mass evacuations and warned of an imminent Ukrainian "offensive" amid fears Russia is moving to stage a pretext to attack Ukraine, cloaking it as aid to the separatists.
