Biden says Russia poised to invade Ukraine as the U.S. continues to seek diplomacy

Judy Woodruff:

President Biden said today he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the decision to further invade Ukraine, and that it will likely happen in the coming days.

Before Mr. Biden's remarks at a late-day news conference, U.S. officials said even more Russian troops have arrived at the Russia-Ukraine border in recent days. They join 150,000 already on station, who the U.S. says are poised to attack.

And, as Nick Schifrin tells us, the U.S. fears the Russians and their allies may be in the initial phase of sparking a new and more brutal invasion.

Nick Schifrin:

If war in Ukraine's about to begin, U.S. officials fear it could start with an event like this. In the eastern city of Donetsk controlled by Russian-backed separatists, local authorities showed off what they called the pro-Russian local military leader's car, destroyed by a bomb.

Authorities allowed local cameramen to film residents loading busses to flee across the border into Russia, and a military leader of the self-proclaimed separatist republic, Eduard Basurin, blamed the Ukrainian government.

Eduard Basurin, Militia Commander, Self-Proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (through translator):

The armed units of Ukraine are deliberately trying to instill fear and panic among the civilians of our republic by targeting vital infrastructure.

Nick Schifrin:

But open-source researchers say this video by the Donetsk leader, reportedly recorded today, was actually filmed two days ago.

And, today, President Biden called their claims deceptive and a possible pretext for possible Russian invasion.

President Joe Biden:

All these are consistent with the playbook the Russians have used before to set up a false justification to act against Ukraine. As of this moment, I'm convinced he's made the decision. We have reason to believe that.

Nick Schifrin:

But Russian President Vladimir Putin today said the Ukrainian government must negotiate with separatist leaders.

Vladimir Putin Russian President (through translator),:

All Kyiv needs to do is sit at the negotiation table with Donbass representatives to resolve the conflict. And the earlier that happens, the better. Unfortunately, right now, we see the situation escalating.

Nick Schifrin:

The U.S. and Kyiv say the Russian-backed separatists are the aggressors, targeting this army checkpoint this morning and what Ukrainian police say was this residential building last night.

Ukrainian armed forces commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi:

Lt. Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander in Chief, Armed Forces of Ukraine (through translator): We can't rebut all fabrications, the number of which is growing exponentially and is produced by enemy propaganda, during these tough days.

Nick Schifrin:

The tough days have included cyberattacks that took down the Web sites of Ukraine's two largest banks and the foreign and defense ministries.

Today, Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser for cyber, blamed the Russian government.

Anne Neuberger, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber and Emerging Technology: While of limited impact, this recent spate of cyberattacks in Ukraine are consistent with what a Russian effort could look like in laying the groundwork for more disruptive cyberattacks accompanying a potential further invasion.

Nick Schifrin:

Senior U.S. officials say that invasion could come at any minute because more Russian troops have arrived in the last few days and are in a heightened readiness.

Meanwhile, NATO tried to demonstrate unity. In Munich, Vice President Kamala Harris led a day of diplomacy, with the NATO secretary-general and Baltic leaders.

Kamal Harris, Vice President of the United States: The focus for us, in working together, is to further coordinate.

Nick Schifrin:

But the rhetoric doesn't match all of the reality. Germany refuses to provide Ukraine lethal weapons, a policy Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock defended.

Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister:

We are saying we are not selling weapons to everybody in the world, but only to our partners, NATO partners, and European Union partners.

Nick Schifrin:

But the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, pushed back.

Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine: We need right now defensive weapon. We're ready to defend our families, our state, our cities, our citizens. We need support.

Nick Schifrin:

Back in Kyiv today, a memorial honoring the Heavenly Hundred, martyrs of the 2014 conflict between two neighbors. This city has seen tragedy and now fears more. Officials today said they have plans to evacuate nearly the entire city, should it come to that.

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Nick Schifrin.