Biden says Russian attack on Ukraine still possible

US President Joe Biden has said that a renewed invasion of Ukraine is “still very much a possibility” hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is not after a war.

The Russian president said he was ready to continue working with the West on security issues to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine, stressing, "We are ready to work further together. We are ready to go down the negotiations track."

Putin: Russia does not want war, ready to continue security talks with West

Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country is not after a war in Europe, as Moscow proposed holding negotiations on security across the continent and amid tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine.

Western countries have accused Russia of preparing for an invasion of Ukraine by amassing 100,000 troops and armaments near the border with that country. Moscow has rejected the allegation, saying the military build-up is defensive in nature and a response to NATO's increased military activity near Russian borders.

In nationally televised remarks from the White House on Tuesday, Biden said the US is "not seeking direct confrontation with Russia" but warned that if Russia were to attack Americans in Ukraine, "We will respond forcefully."

He went on to say that the United States and its NATO allies are ready for whatever happens, saying Moscow will pay a steep economic price if it launches an invasion.

Biden also said the US has not verified reports that some Russian forces have moved away from the Ukraine border.

“We have not yet verified the Russian military units are returning to their home bases. Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position,” he said. “The fact remains right now Russia has more than 150,000 troops and circling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine's border and invasion remains distinctly possible”.

"We are ready to respond decisively to a Russian attack on Ukraine, which remains very much a possibility," Biden added.

Russia's defense ministry said Tuesday that some Russian troops deployed in areas bordering Ukraine are returning to their bases following the completion of drills.

Some Russian troops return from Ukraine border in a sign of de-escalation

Some Russian troops deployed in areas bordering Ukraine are returning to their bases following the completion of drills, Russia

"Units of the southern and western military districts, having completed their tasks, have already begun loading onto rail and road transport and today they will begin moving to their military garrisons," said Igor Konashenkov, the ministry's chief spokesman.

In December last year, Moscow asked NATO not to allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join the Western military alliance. It also urged the alliance to stop its military deployments to Ukraine and to roll back it forces from Eastern Europe, demanding legally binding guarantees.

The demands were flatly rejected, with the military bloc saying its membership will remain open to Ukraine.

Putin has already warned that the US is deliberately designing a scenario to lure Russia into a war over Ukraine.

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