Russia Hints That It Will Attempt to Invade Ukraine Due to Increasing Tensions

The Kremlin said on Friday that President Vladimir Putin seeks a binding guarantee for NATO's expansion into Ukraine during an upcoming meeting with US President Joe Biden. As tensions between Russia and the West rise, Biden said his government was "the most comprehensive and meaningful for Mr Putin. Biden believes he’s put together what is an initiative. 

However, Former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, John Herbst, said on Friday that “it would be impossible to move this Russian position forward, if they become further aggressive towards Ukraine.”

Ukraine, the United States and other western allies are increasingly afraid that the rally of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border may indicate Moscow's intention to invade. Officials say it is unclear whether Putin intends or threatens to invade in the hope of forcing concessions from Ukraine and its western allies. The United States threatened the Kremlin with the strictest sanctions to date during the attack, but Russia warned that the presence of NATO troops and weapons in Ukraine's soil would cross the "red line." 

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told lawmakers Friday that a "massive escalation" would be possible in January, with an estimated 94,300 Russian troops in the suburbs of Ukraine and in  Crimea attached to Russia. An uncategorized U.S. intelligence report released late Friday states Russia is planning  a potential 175,000 military attack early next year. 

Putin's diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Friday that he was ready to call Biden within a few days amid heightened tensions.