President Joe Biden says the world would “hold Russia accountable,” vowing "severe sanctions" on Moscow after it launched a military operation in Ukraine’s Donbass region.

A number of US war hawks are traveling to Ukraine this week to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials amid American claims that Russia is preparing to invade the neighboring country.

The top US military officials reportedly briefed lawmakers behind closed doors on the issue, after testifying publicly before the senate armed services committee on Tuesday