Russia denies it is planning an invasion and has said the Western accusations are merely a cover for NATO's own planned provocations. Heightened alertThe Pentagon said Monday it is putting about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for potential deployment to Europe. "What this is about is reassurance to our NATO allies," Kirby said, adding that no troops are intended for deployment to Ukraine itself. Later Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden held an 80-minute video call with several European leaders on the Russian military buildup and potential responses to an invasion. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov charged that it was NATO and the U.S. who were behind "tensions escalating" in Europe, not Russia.

Source: CBC News January 25, 2022 01:00 UTC