Late modern period

US President Joe Biden said in a White House address last night that there was still time through diplomacy to prevent the "worst-case scenario" of a bloody full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"There is no doubt that Russia is an aggressor, so we are aware of the challenges we face," Biden said.

Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine said on Monday that two civilians had been killed in a shelling by Ukrainian government forces, Reuters reported, citing Russia's RIA Novosti news agency. Representatives of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said the shelling took place late Sunday, BTA reported.

First Victim of the Shelling in Donbas

President Joe Biden said he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine, CNN reported.

"I am convinced now that he has made that decision," Biden said in a statement from the White House after a telephone conversation with NATO leaders.

Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists in the east of the country today again accused each other of shelling and other ceasefire violations amid tensions and fears of a Russian invasion, Reuters reported.

Kyiv and the rebels blamed the escalation after artillery and mortar fire on Thursday.

Is the Ukraine 'Crisis' Just Another US Charade? by Jack F. Matlock, Jr.

Today we face an avoidable crisis that was predictable, actually predicted, willfully precipitated, but easily resolved by the application of common sense.

The Bulgarian authorities are ready to evacuate our compatriots from Ukraine. Crisis headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation in and around the country.

U.S. President Joseph Biden told Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, in a conversation that lasted about an hour, that the United States would respond quickly and decisively if Russia took further steps toward invasion, the White House said in a statement.

More than 10 countries have advised their citizens to leave Ukraine amid warnings of a possible Russian invasion.

Foreign embassies in Kyiv are working, but some countries are withdrawing some of their staff from diplomatic missions. The flags of the British Embassy are not visible, and various cars are leaving the building.

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.

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