Ukraine Calls For Meeting With Russia Amid Reports Of 'Imminent' Invasion

As tension on Ukraine's border is escalating, the country is seeking meeting with Russia and other members of a key European security group.

Russia had ignored formal requests to explain the build-up of soldiers, said Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The "next step," according to him, was calling for a meeting within the next 48 hours for "transparency" about Russia's plans, reported BBC.

Russia has more than 100,000 soldiers massed near Ukraine, which is not part of the Atlantic military alliance. Washington has repeatedly said an invasion is imminent, but Moscow has denied any such plans and has accused the West of "hysteria."

Kuleba said that on Friday, Ukraine had demanded answers from Russia about their intentions under the rules of the Vienna Document. It is an agreement related to security issues adopted by the members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes Russia. He said that if Russia is serious when it talks about the indivisibility of security in the OSCE space, "it must fulfil its commitment to military transparency in order to de-escalate tensions and enhance security for all."

However, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with US President Joe Biden Sunday, said that he had seen no proof that Russia was soon planning an invasion. The White House said that both the leaders had agreed on "the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence." Biden had also reiterated US support for Ukraine, according to the White House.

Recently, an hour-long call between Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin was organized but failed to yield a breakthrough.

On Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has a meeting scheduled with Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine. A day later, Scholz will meet Putin in Moscow, Russia.

Meanwhile, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan issued a warning Sunday that America believes Russia could launch an invasion of Ukraine this week. Sullivan told CNN that Russian troops are positioned so that an invasion could happen before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which will conclude on Feb. 20. Sullivan said that the day cannot be predicted, but "an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now."

He added that they are prepared to continue to work on diplomacy, but "we are also prepared to respond in a united and decisive way with our allies and partners should Russia proceed."