Ukraine has warned Russia that it will bear 'very painful' consequences if it invades as Vladimir Putin continues to mass his forces in eastern Europe.
Dmytro Kuleba, the country's foreign minister, said today that Moscow is 'openly' threatening Ukraine with 'destruction' by stationing 80,000 troops along its border - with more arriving every day - calling on western allies to provide more practical support and warning that 'words are not enough'.
He spoke following a meeting with the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - NATO allies in the region - saying 'the four of us condemn the exacerbation of the situation by Russia.'
'The world is on the side of Ukraine and international law, and this is one of the elements of restraining Russia from reckless actions,' he added.
He spoke as it was revealed that Washington had U-turned on a decision to send two warships into the Black Sea, a day after Russia warned them to stay away 'for their own good'.
Turkey, which polices the straits leading to the sea, said on Tuesday that permission for two warships to pass through was abruptly cancelled with no explanation given.
Instead, Joe Biden slapped sanctions on Russia for attempts to interfere in the US election and a large hack of US government data that American intelligence services blame on Moscow.
Biden expelled 10 Russian diplomats, some of them alleged spies, hit 32 entities tied to Russian election interference including a notorious 'troll farm', and sanctioned eight people and entities linked to the occupation of Crimea. He also restricted US companies trading Russian state debt, hurting Moscow's ability to raise cash.
Biden is also using 'diplomatic, military and intelligence channels' to respond to reports that Russia offered militants bounties for killing American soldiers in Afghanistan, the White House said.
After the sanctions were announced, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that 'such aggressive behavior will undoubtedly trigger a resolute retaliation.'
'Washington should realize that it will have to pay a price for the degradation of the bilateral ties,' Zakharova said, adding that 'the responsibility for that will fully lie with the United States.'
In the meantime, Russia's build-up on the border of Ukraine continues - with leaked Ukrainian intelligence suggesting troop numbers could eventually reach 110,000 from the current 80,000, alongside 7,000 tanks and other vehicles.
Ukraine's defence minister has also warned a meeting of NATO leaders that Russia could be preparing to move nukes into Crimea, a hugely provocative move that would drag the region closer to all-out war.
Ukraine fears more than 100,000 Russian troops will be in place on its borders, ready to invade, by the end of the month.
A Ukrainian government report, obtained by the Daily Mail, estimates the Kremlin will deploy up to 30,000 extra soldiers, accompanied by more tanks and rocket systems, in support of 80,000 Russian troops already awaiting orders to advance.
The figures are based on intelligence intercepts and satellite photographs as troops and equipment travel hundreds of miles across Russia to amass around its neighbour.
Andrii Taran, speaking before an emergency Nato meeting with allied defence and foreign ministers, including the UK's Dominic Raab, said he could not rule out Russian forces in Crimea 'undertaking substantive military provocations' soon.
'Crimea's infrastructure is being prepared for potentially storing nuclear weapons,' Mr Taran told the European Parliament's defence subcommittee. 'The very presence of nuclear munitions in the peninsula may spark a whole array of complex political, legal and moral problems.'
But Vladimir Putin was hiding nothing yesterday with a live- firing drill in the Black Sea – just days before two US destroyers are expected to sail into the same waters. Russian state TV showed two missile ships, the Graivoron and the Vyshny Volochek, taking part in sea-level and aerial target practice alongside a missile hovercraft, a frigate and a mine-sweeping ship.
The drill, described as a 'combat readiness check' by Russian officials, comes before the USS Donald Cook and the USS Roosevelt are expected to arrive, despite Russian warnings for them to stay away 'for their own good'.
The Graivoron and Vyshny Volochek are Buyan-M class missile corvettes and are armed with 100mm naval guns, anti-ship cruise missile launchers, anti-air cruise missile launchers and anti-submarine hardware. Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said there was a risk of 'incidents' between the US and Russian vessels. He added: 'There is absolutely nothing for American ships to be doing near our shores, this is purely a provocative action. If there is any aggravation we will do everything to ensure our security and safety. But Kiev and its allies in the West will be entirely responsible for the consequences.'
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