The US president has called on Vladimir Putin to step back from the brink of war and sent a message of peace to the Russian people.

Joe Biden said the US has “not yet verified” Russia’s claim that some of its forces have withdrawn from the border, adding an invasion of Ukraine remains a distinct possibility.

Speaking from the White House, he warned again that if Russia invades its neighbour, the US “will rally the world to oppose its aggression”.

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“While I will not send American servicemen to fight in Ukraine, we have supplied Ukrainian military with equipment to help them defend themselves, and provided training and advice and intelligence for that purpose,” Mr Biden said.

“And make no mistake, the United States will defend very inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power.

“An attack against one NATO country is an attack against all of us.”

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Mr Biden went on to insist that the US and NATO are “not a threat to Russia”, stressing that neither have missiles in Ukraine.

“We do not have plans to put them there as well,” he said.

“We’re not targeting the people of Russia. We do not seek to destabilise Russia.”

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He then addressed the citizens of Russia, saying: “You are not our enemy, and I do not believe you want a bloody destructive war against Ukraine, a country and a people with whom you share such deep ties.”

President Biden warned that should Russia invade Ukraine, it will be “without cause or reason” and the human cost will be “immense”.

Mr Biden also acknowledged the likelihood that US and allied sanctions on Russia in retaliation for an invasion would have significant blowback on the American economy, including possible price rises and disruption to the nation’s energy supply.

“The American people understand that defending democracy and liberty is never without cost,” Mr Biden said.

“I will not pretend this will be painless.”

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Hours earlier, Vladimir Putin has insisted he “of course” does not want a war in Europe.

His comments followed conflicting claims he had withdrawn some his country’s forces from Ukraine’s borders.

Speaking at a news conference after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Mr Putin stressed he was not keen on a military confrontation.

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He also suggested that there was the opportunity for further talks between Moscow and the West in a bid to ease current tensions.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urge Russia to “commit to meaningful talks” after it was revealed the Kremlin failed to send a representative to a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

“Russia is patently failing to live up to the international commitments it has made around transparency,” she said.

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“If the Kremlin is serious about a diplomatic resolution, then it needs to show up to diplomatic meetings and commit to meaningful talks.

“Russia’s refusal to engage with the OSCE process demonstrates its contempt for the commitments it freely signed up to.

“It is Russia that is the aggressor here. The troops stationed on the border are clear threat to Ukraine.

“The UK and our allies urge the Kremlin to withdraw its troops and enter discussions based on the proposals put forward by NATO to improve transparency and reduce risk.”

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