Joe Biden convinced Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine, says Kyiv is likely target
- The US president says he expects Russia to make its move in the coming days, though there is still room for diplomacy
- Biden’s remarks come after Moscow-backed separatists began evacuating civilians from Ukraine in what the West fears is a pretext for war
“As of this moment I am convinced that he has made the decision [to invade],” Biden told reporters in Washington. “We have reason to believe that,” he added, citing US intelligence assessments.
His comments came after a phone call with the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Britain, the European Union and Nato, the White House said.
The leaders pledged to continue pursuing diplomacy while preparing to impose swift, coordinated economic costs on Russia should it choose further conflict, according to a White House readout of the call.
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Kindergarten in eastern Ukraine caught in artillery shelling between rebels and government forces
They also discussed efforts to ensure the defence and security of Nato’s eastern flank, the White House said.
