Battle lines appear to be tightening over Russia's potential invasion into Ukraine

Battle strains seem like tightening over Russia's potential invasion into neighboring Ukraine — and NATO and different European leaders are pleading for diplomacy forward of face-to-face talks between the U.S. and Russia in Geneva subsequent week.

The White Home is pushing again in opposition to a report that stated the Biden administration may be prepared to contemplate reducing troop ranges in Japanese Europe if Russia would pull again its forces from close to Ukraine, Christina Ruffini reviews for "CBS Saturday Morning." A senior State Division official informed reporters on Friday, "I wish to be crystal clear that that isn't correct."

However the Putin downside stays. 

"Russia's aggressive actions are a risk to peace and safety in Europe," Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated at a uncommon Friday information convention.

He threatened large penalties for additional Russian aggression in Europe, however stated diplomacy remains to be an possibility.

The U.S. desires Russia to scale back its troop presence alongside Ukraine's jap border, the place Russian forces annexed Crimea in 2014. Russia, in flip, has made its personal calls for, together with that no new nations be allowed to affix NATO.

Each the U.S. and NATO have referred to as that a nonstarter.

"We won't compromise on core rules, together with the suitable for each nation to determine its personal path, together with what sort of safety preparations it desires to be part of," stated NATO Secretary-Common Jens Stoltenberg.

A U.S. intelligence report estimated the almost 100,000 Russian forces close to Ukraine may very well be able to invade at the beginning of this 12 months.

This week, Russian paratroopers landed in neighboring Kazakhstan after its president requested assist controlling anti-government protests.

"I believe one lesson in latest historical past is that after Russians are in your home, it is typically very tough to get them to go away," stated Blinken.

President Biden has stated U.S. forces will not be going into Ukraine, however they may be wanted in NATO ally nations round Japanese Europe if Russia decides to enterprise previous its border.