By Humeyra Pouk and Kirsty Needham

MELBOURNE (Reuters] – Russia has increased its presence at the border of Ukraine and may launch an attack anytime, U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken indicated on Friday.

Washington continued to “draw down its embassy” in Ukraine, he said. He also repeated the State Department’s call for all Americans living in Ukraine to immediately leave.

Blinken said that the “simply stated” signs of Russian aggression continue to be seen, with new troops arriving at Ukraine’s border. He spoke during a Melbourne-based news conference.

As we have said, an invasion can start at any moment. And that could include during the Olympics.

Russia is home to more than 100,000 troops close to Ukraine’s borders and has denied any Western claims that Russia might want its Soviet former Soviet partner invaded. Beijing hosts the Winter Olympics from February 20 to 22.

China and Russia announced a partnership of “no limitations” at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony last week. They supported each other in standoffs over Ukraine and Taiwan and made a commitment to work more together against the West.

Beijing supported Russia’s request that Ukraine not be admitted to NATO. The Kremlin has 100,000 troops close to its neighbor, and Moscow opposes any form of independent Taiwan as world powers vie for their influence.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could be a danger to international rules-based orders, Blinken claimed, noting that if it isn’t punished, it might have implications in the Indo-Pacific, indicating the possibility of a Chinese invasion.

It will be a positive impact on our country if we let those principles go unchallenged, even though it is half a globe away. Many are looking at us. “Some are watching us all to see what we do,” Blinken stated.

Britain warned that Thursday’s “most dangerous moment in West-Russian standoff” was imminent. Russia had held military exercises at Belarus and the Black Sea, following its buildup near Ukraine.

According to the U.S. State Department, Americans living in Ukraine should leave as soon as possible due to increased Russian military threats. Blinken stated that Washington will continue to withdraw its Embassy after having ordered family members to depart from its mission in January.

Blinken stated that “we will continue this process” and that it was clear from him that American citizens living in Ukraine must leave immediately.

Russia was warned by its allies and the United States of America that it will face severe sanctions if they invade Ukraine. Moscow claims that the current crisis has been triggered by NATO’s actions and U.S. policies. It is asking for security guarantees, such as a guarantee by NATO to never admit Ukraine.