Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell praised President Joe Biden in an surprising transfer on Tuesday, commending him for "shifting in the precise course" on the Russia-Ukraine standoff.

"What I have been listening to since then is encouraging, that they are ready to take steps earlier than an incursion, not afterwards," McConnell mentioned about Biden's response to the rising tensions in Ukraine.

"It seems to me that the administration is shifting in the precise course," the Kentucky Republican mentioned.

McConnell's remarks come a day after Biden held a video name with European officers over the specter of a Russian invasion.

The White Home mentioned the president spoke with leaders from the European Fee, the European Council, NATO, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK about their issues over the state of affairs on Ukraine's border and their "preparations to impose large penalties and extreme financial prices on Russia for such actions."

As well as, the Pentagon has positioned 8,500 troops on "heightened alert" to help NATO allies, however no deployment orders have been given right now.

Mitch McConnell Joe Biden Ukraine Russia Troops
Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell mentioned Tuesday President Joe Biden is "shifting in the precise course" on Ukraine. Above, McConnell speaks throughout a press convention on January 19.Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Requested concerning the optimistic phrases from McConnell, White Home press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned, "Sure, after all, we have been" happy to listen to his response.

"I believe abiding by our Article 5 commitments [in NATO], standing up for the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine, making clear that one nation shouldn't be capable of invade and take over territory from one other nation—that is not only a Democratic perception or Republican perception," she mentioned at a Tuesday briefing.

"That is central to who we're as a rustic and who leaders like Chief McConnell or...like President Biden [are]. That is what their perception has been for a lot of many years, so we definitely welcome that," Psaki mentioned.

Final week, Biden mentioned he thought that Russia, which has amassed greater than 100,000 troops at Ukraine's border, will quickly invade its neighbor. However he promised to carry Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable ought to he order any strikes towards Ukraine.

Biden warned that if Putin invaded, it will be "probably the most consequential factor that has occurred on the planet since World Conflict II."

People have been suggested to depart Ukraine due to the "menace of Russian army aggression," in response to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. U.S. officers have cautioned that "safety circumstances, notably alongside Ukraine's borders in Russia, occupied Crimea and in Russia-controlled japanese Ukraine, are unpredictable and might deteriorate with little discover."

Related messages have been despatched to Canadian, British and Australian diplomats in Ukraine by their respective authorities officers.

Then again, Russia has accused the U.S. of "increase pressure" by making ready its troops.

"We're observing these actions of america with profound concern," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned.