Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – On Tuesday, President Joe Biden appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a halt to the war with Ukraine. He spoke out against the potential “needless destruction and death” that Moscow might cause as well as international outrage Putin could face.

Biden spoke nationally on televised television and stated that the United States has estimated that about 150,000 Russian troops currently surround Ukraine. That is more than any previous estimate of around 100,000. Although reports that certain forces have withdrawn from Ukraine were welcomed, they weren’t confirmed. An invasion remains a possible possibility.

Biden stressed that diplomacy was still an option to end the crisis. He also urged Russia for cooperation. He stated that the United States and allies would respond to any Russian invasion of Ukraine with sanctions aimed at causing economic damage and isolation.

He said, “The United States will be prepared regardless of what happens.”

Biden was primarily referring to Putin in his remarks. Putin has repeatedly demanded NATO refuse Ukraine membership and stop all eastward expansion. Biden has yet to convince Putin that his threats of Russia-related repercussions are enough to stop him from backing down.

Russia does not consider NATO or the United States a threat. Russia is not threatened by Ukraine. The U.S. and NATO do not have any missiles against Ukraine. There are no plans or we don’t have the capability to use them. Russia’s people are not being targeted. We do not seek to destabilize Russia,” said Biden.

American President also addressed Russians directly.

“To the citizens of Russia: you are not our enemy, and I don’t believe you want a bloody, destructive war against Ukraine,” Biden said.

The human and strategic costs would be “immense” for Russia if it attacks, he said. Biden declared that “the world wouldn’t forget Russia choosing needless death, destruction.”

He stated that the United States “never seeks direct confrontation with Russia” but added that American troops were not planning to go into battle in Ukraine. He said that if Russia attacked Americans in Ukraine, they would respond with force.

He warned that a Russian invasion would cause “consequences here at home,” including energy costs.

It was the day after Ukraine had claimed that it was attacked by hackers and made this speech to blame Russia.

Biden warned Russia to avoid cyberattacks.

He stated that Russia could attack the United States and its allies using asymmetric methods like cyberattacks on our companies or critical infrastructure or disruptive cyberattacks, and that he was ready to react.

NEW ARMS CONTROL, NATO UNITY

Biden met with Putin and the Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy Saturday. He has repeatedly warned of high costs to Moscow and sanctions on Russian oligarchs and businesses. He has presented a roadmap for peaceful resolution that includes talks about missile deployments as well as military exercises in an effort to lower tensions.

America “has presented concrete ideas for creating a secure environment in Europe.” We’re proposing new arms control measures, new transparency measures, new strategic stability measures,” that apply to NATO and Russia alike, he said on Tuesday.

Biden spoke out to say that America and NATO allies have prepared for anything.

Biden declared that “we are prepared to respond decisively if a Russian attack against Ukraine occurs, which is very much possible,”

He said that reports that Russia has withdrawn certain military units were “good but not verified.”

“Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position,” he said, citing “more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine’s border.”

Biden declared, “An invasion is still distinctly possible.”