A “bloody massacre” could happen if Russia invades Ukraine

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Monday during an interview with CNN that there would be a “bloody massacre” if Russia invades Ukraine.

"The Russians will also return in coffins," Reznikov added amid tensions caused by troop movements on the border between the two countries.

The Ukrainian called on U.S. President Joe Biden to stand firm against the Moscow government prior to the actual video conference call Biden and Putin held on Tuesday. 

"If I can advise President Biden, I would like him to tell Mr. Putin that there should be no red lines on the Kremlin's side. The red line is here in Ukraine and the civilized world will react without hesitation," Reznikov added in the exclusive interview with CNN.

"The idea of not provoking Russia will not work," he added.

The U.S. will "respond affirmatively"

Ned Price, the spokesman for the Department of State, said on Monday that the United States "will respond affirmatively" if its Eastern European allies ask for a greater military presence in case Russia attacks Ukraine.

"If Putin moves, there would be a greater demand for troops, capabilities, and exercises from our allies," and in that case, the United States will have to respond, he said.

Despite his comments, Washington is not planning a direct military response in the event of an attack on Ukraine. Instead, the U.S. plans to focus on “a combination of support for the Ukrainian military, strong economic sanctions, and a substantial increase in support and capabilities with NATO allies."

State Department spokesman Ned Price reiterated that President Joe Biden will warn Russian President Vladimir Putin of severe economic consequences should Russia go ahead with an invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/936gRNxfzQ pic.twitter.com/2KkPkzbfDr

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 7, 2021

Department of Defense Press Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs John Kirby also expressed concern about the advance of Russian troops on the Russian-Ukrainian border.

"We continue to see a buildup of Russian military forces in the areas around Ukraine. This buildup worries us. It is still not entirely clear what Putin's intentions are," Kirby said.

John Kirby @PentagonPresSec: “We continue to see a build-up of Russian military forces in the areas around Ukraine. This build-up is concerning to us. It is still not entirely clear what Mr. Putin’s intentions are."pic.twitter.com/OPNFFBZwth#Russia #Ukraine #Putin #NATO

— US News Agency (@USANewsAgency) December 7, 2021

Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked the United States for its support in the situation.

"We agreed to continue to act in a joint and coordinated manner. I thank my strategic partner and ally the United States for its continued support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zelensky wrote on his Twitter account.

Узгодили позиції з @SecBlinken перед розмовою президентів Байдена та Путіна. Домовилися й надалі діяти спільно та скоординовано. Вдячний стратегічному партнеру й союзнику – 🇺🇸 за незмінну підтримку нашого суверенітету й територіальної цілісності. Нічого про 🇺🇦 без 🇺🇦. pic.twitter.com/U50FrItOPZ

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 6, 2021