NBC News reports.

Joe Biden was briefed by Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin about U.S. options for responding if Russia invades Ukraine.

Among the options presented for the U.S. military in advance of an invasion were bomber flights over the region, ship visits into the Black Sea, and the moving of troops into Poland and Romania. 

The Pentagon chief suggested these options to reassure NATO allies and strengthen their defences, especially those bordering Ukraine. The Pentagon also seeks to demonstrate the Alliance's unity and deter Russian aggression.

What is known

• The US State Department has ordered American families working at the US Embassy in Ukraine to leave the country due to the threat of military action by Russia.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers this decision premature.
• Another country that withdraws its diplomats is Great Britain.Meanwhile, Poland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia and Estonia - have stated that they do not intend to withdraw their diplomats.
• EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that now he sees no reason to withdraw the families of the diplomats from Ukraine because of the threat of a military attack on the country, as the United States and Great Britain have already done. He has urged not to dramatise the situation while negotiations with Russia are ongoing.
• The Verkhovna Rada plans to appeal to the international community due to military blackmail by Russia.
• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the United States is ready to provide Ukraine with additional defence weapons, including lethal ones.

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