Russo-Ukrainian crisis

The Kremlin and the West held out the possibility of a diplomatic path out of the Ukraine crisis, even as Russia appeared to continue preparations for a potential invasion, including moving troops military hardware closer to its neighbor.

Tensions have been rising for weeks, with Washington warning that it fears an imminent invasion and that more than 100,000 Russian troops are near the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine requested a meeting with Russia in the next 48 hours. The country's foreign minister said Moscow had so far ignored insistence on explaining the build-up of troops along the border. The meeting should clarify Russia's intentions and discuss de-escalation options.

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.

Some airlines canceled flights to the Ukrainian capital and troops there unloaded fresh shipments of weapons from NATO members , as its on Feb. 13 president sought to project confidence in the face of U.S. warnings of possible invasion within days by a growing number of Russian forces.

Turkey on Feb. 12 issued a travel warning for eastern Ukraine and called on its citizens to avoid visiting the region.

Turkey closely follows the security situation in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said in a written 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.

US President Joe Biden held talks with Allied leaders yesterday. The participants in the conversation expressed concern over the accumulation of Russian troops around Ukraine and expressed a desire for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, Reuters reported, citing the White House.

US President Joe Biden has called on all US citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, citing growing threats of Russian military action.

Biden said he would not send troops to rescue the Americans if Moscow invaded Ukraine.

He warned that "things in the region could quickly go wrong".

U.S. President Joe Biden said he would not send troops to save Americans fleeing the country if Russia attacked.
Biden told NBC News that things could quickly spiral out of control, Reuters reports.
The U.S. State Department previously called on Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately due to, as they claim, "increased threats from Russia's military action".