Regardless of assurances from the Kremlin that Russian forces had been being pulled again from the Ukrainian border, U.S. officers consider that the nation is definitely including extra troopers, not withdrawing them.

The information got here Wednesday from a senior U.S. official inside the Biden administration, who advised the Related Press (AP) that Russia elevated its presence on the Ukrainian border by no less than 7,000 troops. A few of these troopers had arrived that very same day, the official stated.

The reported navy strengthening comes at the same time as Russian President Vladimir Putin stored the door open for a possible peaceable finish to the standoff, having beforehand stated that Russia determined to "partially pull again troops" from the border. Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov additionally weighed in, stating throughout a gathering with Putin on Monday that diplomatic talks "cannot go on indefinitely, however I'd counsel to proceed and broaden them at this stage."

Lavrov added that the opportunity of negotiations between the U.S., Ukraine and Russia "are removed from being exhausted."

Regardless of this, U.S. officers, together with President Joe Biden himself, have expressed considerations that Russia is continuous to gear up for a possible invasion. The latest estimates acknowledged that Putin had amassed round 150,000 troopers on the Russian border, which surrounds Ukraine on three sides.

Ukrainian Tank Exercise
Russia has reportedly despatched an extra 7,000 troops to the border with Ukraine. That is regardless of assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that he could be pulling his forces again from the brink of conflict. Above, a Ukrainian tank is seen performing live-fire workout routines close to the border with Russia. Sergey Bobok/Getty

As a precaution, the Pentagon has continued to ship forces to surrounding international locations ought to Russia strike. This contains an extra 3,000 U.S. troops who had been despatched to neighboring Poland final week to help with NATO defenses.

Whereas Biden has beforehand reiterated that he didn't intend to ship American troopers into Ukrainian territory, the president has acknowledged that "the USA will defend each inch of NATO territory with the total drive of American energy."

"An assault in opposition to one NATO nation is an assault in opposition to all of us," Biden added. The president continued by promising that the U.S. would give diplomatic options "each probability."

Regardless of the seemingly persevering with construct up of Russian troops, the Kremlin made efforts to indicate off the motion of troopers away from potential invasion areas.

A video launched from the Russian Protection Ministry reportedly confirmed a prepare stuffed with armored navy vehicles touring away from Crimea, an space within the Black Sea that Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Intelligence consultants feared Russia may use Crimea as certainly one of its bases to launch a possible invasion.

Kremlin officers additionally introduced that tanks had been being despatched again to their unique bases in Russia following the tip of navy workout routines.

Even with these assurances, the U.S. official who spoke to the AP reportedly advised the outlet that Russia was utilizing false claims of atrocities from Ukrainian troopers to doubtlessly justify a conflict.

This contains: "Studies of unmarked graves of civilians allegedly killed by Ukrainian forces, statements that the U.S. and Ukraine are growing organic or chemical weapons, and claims that the West is funneling in guerrillas to kill Ukrainians," in line with the AP.

Different top-ranking U.S. officers have expressed related skepticism that Russia was truly cutting down its forces.

"We've not seen a pullback," stated U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "[Putin] can pull the set off. He can pull it immediately. He can pull it tomorrow. He can pull it subsequent week. The forces are there if he desires to resume aggression in opposition to Ukraine."

This sentiment was echoed by State Division spokesperson Ned Worth, who added the U.S. has seen "extra Russian forces, not fewer."

As Russia's intentions remained unclear to overseas officers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has additionally shot down claims of a Russian withdrawal, led his nation in a "Day of Nationwide Unity" on Wednesday. This included urging Ukrainians to take to the streets with nationwide flags in a present of patriotism in opposition to Russia.

"We're united by [a] want to fortunately stay in peace," Zelenskyy stated throughout a nationwide handle. "We will defend our dwelling provided that we keep united."

With the specter of an invasion apparently nonetheless attainable, the U.S. has continued to threaten Russia with the usage of sanctions in an effort to discourage them from navy motion.

Newsweek has reached out to the White Home for remark.

Replace (02/16/2022, 8:30 p.m. ET):This story has been up to date with extra data.