Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – All options are open for responding to Russia’s ‘larger and more unusual’ troop buildup at Ukraine’s border. NATO will make the decision after next week’s consultations, according to the State Department’s highest diplomat for European affairs.

In a briefing by telephone, Karen Donfried, Assistant Secretary of State to European and Eurasian Affairs told reporters that all options were available and that a toolkit was included.

She said that “it’s now for NATO to decide what the next steps are that NATO wants.” This was before Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary, visits Latvia and Sweden next week. Blinken will be attending NATO and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe meetings (OSCE). Blinken stated that Moscow’s “large and uncommon” troop buildup would top the agenda.

She said, “Next week we will discuss our assessment of Russia’s border situation with Ukraine. We will then begin conversations about what options are available and what NATO would love to do together.”

Officials from the U.S., NATO, Ukraine have raised concerns in recent weeks about unusual Russian troop movements close to Ukraine. They believe that Moscow could be poised for an attack on its neighbor. Russia rejects these claims as fear-mongering.

Donfried was asked if Blinken would meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Stockholm. She said that she did not have any announcements, but continued: “Stay tuned.”

According to the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, this weekend’s Military Times outlet reported that Russia has more than 92,000 troops positioned around Ukraine’s border and is preparing for an attack at the beginning or end of February.

Moscow rejected these claims as inflammatory and claimed it was not threatening any one.

Donfried was asked about the differences in Russia’s troop builds up, but didn’t give any more details beyond saying that they were ‘large and uncommon’.

Russia’s intentions are still unclear. East-West tensions remain high as NATO, Russia, and Ukraine all conduct military drills. Moscow also accuses Washington of planning a nuclear attack against Russia.

Donfried was asked if Washington has been more serious about deploying troops to NATO’s eastern flank in the wake of recent tensions. Donfried didn’t elaborate but stated that NATO foreign ministers would discuss the larger strategy for the alliance’s posture in the 21st Century.

Donfried, at the OSCE meeting, in Stockholm, stated that Blinken will raise Russia’s occupation in Ukraine and Georgian territories as well as the conflict in Nagorno Karabakakh and the Belarusian crisis.