Russia-Ukraine crisis: US says Russia may create pretext to attack Ukraine

The US says, Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and might create a surprise pretext for an attack and reaffirmed its pledge to defend every inch of NATO territory.

The White House said, US President Joe Biden spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy yesterday to make clear that the U.S. would respond swiftly and decisively to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. The leaders agreed on the need to continue pursuing diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia’s military build-up, the white house said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv today- before heading to Moscow to talk with Russian leader



Vladimir Putin - as part of a last-ditch bid at diplomacy. On the eve of his visit, he called for Russia to de-escalate and warned of sanctions if Moscow did invade.

Meanwhile, western countries are winding down diplomatic missions and urging citizens to leave Ukraine capital Kyiv, as diplomatic efforts seem to have failed to calm one of the most explosive stand-offs since the Cold War.

News agencies report that Russia has more than 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine and Washington is repeatedly saying that an invasion is imminent. However, Moscow has denied any such plans and has accused the West of "hysteria".