US predicts Russia will ‘move in’ on Ukraine as UK and Canada send arms and special forces

Russia’s move to amass some 100,000 troops at its border with neighbouring Ukraine has raised tension between Moscow and Western government to a boiling point. US President Joe Biden said in a press conference January 19, 2022, that he expects Russia to make a move on Ukraine, warning that it would be met with a severe and coordinated economic response. Meanwhile, Russia has moved troops to Belarus for joint military exercises planned for February, and has strengthened its military presence near Ukraine. On January 20, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met British, French and German officials to discuss Ukraine. Britain has delivered anti-tank systems to the country and Canada has reportedly deployed special forces there. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, which is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. Moscow has denied planning to attack its western neighbour. The deployments of Russian troops, it said, only serves as a warning to keep Ukraine out of Nato.