Biden stokes Russia invasion fears

Russia condemned US President Joe Biden's vow of a "severe" response to any invasion of Ukraine as "destabilizing," as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken opened talks with key European allies for a common strategy against Moscow.

With tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border, fears are mounting that a major conflict could break out in Europe.

Moscow insists it has no plans to invade, but has at the same time laid down demands - including a ban on Ukraine joining NATO - in exchange for de-escalation.

Washington has rejected Moscow's demands as "non-starters" and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg this week insisted that the alliance "will not compromise on core principles such as the right for each nation to choose its own path."

Biden also sparked controversy as he appeared to indicate that a "minor incursion" might prompt a smaller response from NATO allies. "It's one thing if it's a minor incursion, and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, etcetera," he said.

But the White House moved swiftly to clarify the comments, with Press Secretary Jen Psaki vowing any Russian movement in Ukraine would face "severe" retaliation.

Statements like that, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, "can facilitate the destabilization of the situation because they can inspire some hotheads in Ukraine with false hopes."

With both sides' positions entrenched, a series of talks between Western and Russian officials has failed to yield any breakthrough. The onus is on Putin to dispel fears that Moscow is planning an invasion of its neighbor.

Ukraine has been fighting Moscow-backed forces in two breakaway eastern regions since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine. More than 13,000 have been killed.

Washington said yesterday it has approved requests from the Baltic nations to ship US-made weapons to Ukraine.

Britain has also said it would send defensive weapons as part of a package to help the country secure its borders.