The U.S. now believes that President Vladimir Putin of Russia has made up his mind to invade Ukraine and will make its move next week, following months of military build-up.
President Joe Biden on Friday met virtually with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Britain’s Boris Johnson and other world leaders on Friday morning to brief them on developments.
Soon after the meeting finished it emerged that U.S. and Western officials now think that Russia will invade next week, according to PBS reporter Nick Schifrin.
‘US officials anticipate a horrific, bloody campaign that begins with two days or aerial bombardment and electronic warfare, followed by an invasion, with the possible goal of regime change,’ he tweeted.
A diplomatic source said the strategy now was to intensify efforts to spell out the cost to Putin of invasion.
‘The message has to be that he cannot win,’ the source told DailyMail.com.
It comes as allies step up efforts to get their nationals to safety.
Britain on Friday advised citizens to leave immediately while commercial flights were available.
The developments come after a series of warnings for Americans to get out of Ukraine immediately.
Earlier the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken outlined what he said were ‘very troubling signs of Russian escalation.
‘We’re in a window when an invasion could begin at any time – and to be clear, that includes during the Olympics,’ he said.
A Russian tank takes part in drills in a photograph released by the Russian Defense Ministry
A satellite image taken by Maxar Technologies shows a Russian deployment at Zyabrovka airfield in Gomel, Belarus, less than 15 miles from the border with Ukraine
A Russian video of air defence crews taking up position during joint military exercises with Belarus that began on Thursday, further raising the stakes
Another 130 tons of U.S. weapons – including Javelin anti-tank missiles – arrived in Ukraine on Thursday night in response to the 120,000 Russian troops amassed along the country’s border
A Ukrainian service member unpacks Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered by plane as part of the U.S. military support package for Ukraine, at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 10
Joe Biden had earlier echoed the same call for Americans to get out now, saying the situation ‘could go crazy quickly’ and US troops will not be sent to help because that risks triggering a world war.
‘It’s not like we’re dealing with a terrorist organization. We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world.
‘That’s a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another.
His comments come as another 130 tons of U.S. weapons – including Javelin anti-tank missiles – arrived in Ukraine on Thursday night in response to the 120,000 Russian troops amassed along the country’s border.
Tensions ramped up further on Thursday as Russia held military exercises in Belarus and the Black Sea, prompting Britain to declare it as the ‘most dangerous moment.’
Ukraine also staged war games and a senior U.S. official warned that ‘bodybags will come back to Moscow’ if Russian troops crossed the border.
It leaves world leaders hoping diplomacy can still win the day and prompt President Vladimir Putin to back down.
However, a foreign diplomatic source told DailyMail.com it was difficult to see how Putin could now step back without losing face after assembling 130,000 troops close to the Ukrainian border.
Meanwhile, in Europe, the latest shipment of weapons from the U.S. arrived at Boryspil International Airport near Kiev, Ukraine, on Thursday night, with about 130 tons worth of ammunition delivered.
It is believed to be the 14th part of a $200 million shipment of American military ai that is being sent to help its ally.
The shipment included Javelin anti-tank missiles, grenades and other defensive ammunition, said the Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov.
He tweeted: ‘Two more birds in Kyiv! Javelins, grenades & other defensive ammunition for the Ukrainian military. The weight of military aid from our partners, which was delivered today-about 130 tons.’
The US embassy in Ukraine confirmed the news of the shipment and said that Washington has provided 1,200 tons of equipment so far.
President Joe Biden again urged Americans to leave Ukraine on Thursday, this time warning them that American troops won’t come to the rescue if Russia launches an invasion
Analysts say the huge build-up of Russian troops offers Putin multiple military options
‘Tonight, the 14th flight arrived in Boryspil with American security assistance, including Javelin systems,’ the embassy tweeted on Thursday night.
‘The United States has provided nearly 1,200 tons of equipment approved by President Biden in January, which Ukraine needs to protect against ongoing Russian aggression.’
Meanwhile, six Russian landing ships filled with tanks and troops yesterday assembled in the Black Sea to back up the land forces, heightening concerns.
Moscow’s forces are also beginning joint military exercises with ally Belarus.
An estimated 30,000 troops are taking part in the 10-day war games.
‘Our intelligence, I’m afraid to say, remains grim. We’re seeing the massing of huge numbers of tactical battalion groups on the border with Ukraine,’ said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a joint news conference with NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels
‘This is probably the most dangerous moment in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis Europe has faced for decades.’
As part of U.S. efforts to ‘reduce chances of miscalculation,’ the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, spoke on Thursday with his Belarusian counterpart, a Pentagon spokesman said.
And U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spelled out the high stakes if Putin made the wrong choice.
If he chose war he ‘should understand that body bags will come back to Moscow.., that the citizens of Russia will suffer because their economy will be completely devastated,’ she told broadcaster MSNBC.
Ukrainian service members unpack Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered by plane as part of the U.S. military support package at Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 10
The shipment included Javelin anti-tank missiles, grenades and other defensive ammunition, said the Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov