WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday afternoon as the security situation on Ukraine’s border with Russia continues to deteriorate.

Call between the leaders the second this monthAs NATO allies and Biden prepare for the possibility of a Russian invasion of an ex-Soviet country, he also speaks.

President Biden reiterated the willingness of the United States and its allies to act decisively in the event that Russia invades Ukraine again. The White House read out the conversation and said that Biden also stressed the United States’ commitment towards Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity.

Biden informed Zelenskyy as well that U.S. Embassy Kyiv remains fully functional after the State Department made an eligible order. family members of personnel at its embassy in Kyiv to leave.

Also, on Sunday, The State Department recommended all U.S. citizens in Ukraine evacuate immediately due to Russia’s continuing military buildup along the border.

On Thursday the Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been declared dead. Putin would review U.S. security proposalsThese were delivered by John Sullivan, Ambassador to Russia.

In the meantime, Russian officials repeatedly urged the U.S. not to allow NATO’s eastward expansion.

Russia has also demanded that the U.S. “shall not establish military bases” in the territories of any former Soviet states that are not already members of NATO, or “use their infrastructure for any military activities or develop bilateral military cooperation with them.”

NATO and the U.S. have both previously stated that they cannot accommodate such requests from Russia.

So, over 100,000 soldiers with modern equipment were sent to Ukraine by Putin for several months.

John Kirby, Pentagon spokesman, said that Russia has continued to expand its military presence near the Ukraine border. 

Kirby stated that “We continue seeing, including within the last 24-hours, more accumulations of credible combat troops arrayed Russians,” during a press conference. Kirby said that he continues to witness him adding to the capability.

According to the Kremlin, troop deployment is not a prelude for an attack. Instead it has been described as a military exercise.

Ukraine applied for NATO membership in 2002. The group’s Article 5 clause states that an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all of them.

Biden stated Tuesday to reporters, “A full-scale Russian invasion in Ukraine would seriously alter European security.” It would be the biggest invasion since World War II, if he moved in together with all these forces. That would make the world a better place.” Biden said.