Biden more definitive that Russia’s attack on Ukraine will happen in the next several days

President Joe Biden warned Thursday morning a Russian attack on Ukraine could begin in the coming days, casting a new incursion into the country as all but certain and warning Moscow could stage events in the lead-up to generate a pretext for war.
It was the latest sign of mistrust from the West at President Vladimir Putin’s claims he is withdrawing troops and open to diplomacy. Biden, while maintaining there was a “diplomatic path” that avoids conflict, nevertheless used stark language to predict imminent violence.
“It’s very high,” Biden said when asked by CNN’s Jeremy Diamond how high the threat level is for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s very high because they have not moved any of their troops out,” he continued, speaking on the White House South Lawn before departing for Ohio, where he plans to sell the infrastructure law passed last year.
“They have moved more troops in, number one. Number two, we have reason to believe they are engaged in a false flag operation to have an excuse to go in. Every indication we have is they are prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine,” Biden said.
Biden has predicted a Russian invasion of Ukraine before but has previously couched his forecast by saying Putin hadn’t made up his mind. He was more definitive on Thursday, a day after US officials said 7,000 more Russian troops have arrived near Ukraine, contradicting earlier Russian claims of a pull-back.
Pressed on whether he believes an attack will happen — and when — Biden said: “Yes. My sense is it will happen in the next several days.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry handed over an 11-page document Thursday with its response to U.S. proposals delivered last month addressing Moscow’s demands for security guarantees.
Putin has said NATO must promise to cease expansions, including refusing Ukraine membership in the alliance, and remove forces stationed in central and eastern Europe. /argumentum.al