Ukraine crisis: US reaffirms Russian invasion warning as Germany takes tougher line
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lands in Kyiv on Monday before visiting Moscow to try to head off a ‘very critical’ threat
- Russia has more than 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine, and Washington has repeatedly said an invasion is imminent
Washington reaffirmed its warning on Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine at any moment and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz demanded “immediate signs of de-escalation” as he prepared to visit both countries in a bid to head off a crisis that Berlin said had reached a “critical” point.
Kyiv also scrambled to keep its airspace open after KLM became the first major airline to suspend its operation because of the threats posed by Russian troops conducting military drills across Ukraine’s frontiers.
Western countries are winding down their diplomatic missions and urging their citizens to leave immediately after a frantic week of diplomacy failed to calm one of the most explosive stand-offs since the Cold War.
Zelensky’s office said the Ukrainian leader had invited Biden to visit Kyiv “in the coming days” to show his moral support and deliver “a powerful signal” to Russia.
Washington made no mention of an invitation in its readout of the 50-minute call.