Russian soldiers in military exercises in the southern Russia's Volgograd region (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Mr. Blinken told the UN Security Council that “the Russian government can announce today – with no qualification, equivocation, or deflection – that Russia will not invade Ukraine". He warned that Moscow is preparing to attack its neighbor “in the coming days".

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin called Blinken's statement a "regrettable” and "dangerous" move that further fuels tensions. He said Russian forces remain on Russian territory and some units were already returning to their bases following exercises.