Biden, Putin in talks to avoid all-out war
WASHINGTON: Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will hold crisis talks on Tuesday as Russia masses 175,000 troops on the border with Ukraine and US intelligence warns of a potential invasion early next year.
American intelligence officers believe Moscow has drawn up plans for a military offensive on several fronts as the Kremlin continues to move troops, artillery and armour up to the borders of eastern Europe.
The crisis has renewed fears the standoff over Ukraine, the former Soviet republic that wants to join NATO, could spill into an invasion and war on European soil.
Images from satellites show Russian forces massing on the border, with analysts predicting the troop build-up could reach 175,000.
Russian reservists have been mobilised to join 50 battlefield groups, along with tanks and artillery. Moscow has dismissed the concerns, claiming that it is conducting routine military exercises, and has accused both Ukraine and NATO of aggression.
The Donbas region has experienced some of the fiercest fighting with Russia since the dispute began about seven years ago. Washington is threatening tough sanctions that could cut off Russia from global financial systems.
“President Biden will underscore US concerns with Russian military activities on the border with Ukraine and reaffirm America’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the White House said.
Mr Biden said on Friday that the US had prepared the “most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Mr Putin”. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington could launch “high-impact economic measures that we have refrained from taking in the past”.
Mr Putin is certain to reaffirm Russia’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, but NATO has said Moscow has no say in the defence group’s plans for possible expansion.
The US believes Russia has 70,000 troops on the border but Ukraine puts that figure at 94,000. Both assessments believe the Russian strategy allows for swift reinforcements to double the number.
Ukraine has said that Moscow could invade next month. US officials said the groundwork for an invasion was backed by a Russian propaganda campaign blaming Kiev for any military escalation.