If any Russian forces invade Ukraine, the US has warned they will be met with a “swift, severe and united response”.
As tensions continue to soar, with Russian troops massed at the border, the US issued the defiant warning to Russia against any action last night.
The statement was made shortly after US president Joe Biden predicted that Russia would invade the country.
In the statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki publicly warned of the response Russia will meet in the case of an invasion and added that even action short of a military invasion will be responded to.
Russian aggression, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics, would be met with a “decisive, reciprocal and united response", it added.
US President Joe Biden said he thought that Russia will invade Ukraine, adding: "My guess is he will move in. He has to do something."
"Russia will be held accountable if it invades - and it depends on what it does.
“It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and what to not do, et cetera.
“But if they actually do what they're capable of doing ... it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine."
Russian officials have repeatedly denied planning to invade Ukraine, despite having 100,000 troops stationed near the Ukraine borders.
Russia has long tried to exercise leverage and all-out control of Ukraine, an area many in the country believe belongs to them - they call Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, the mother of Russia.
Press secretary Psaki said: "If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that's a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our allies.”
Republicans expressed concern about Biden's remarks.
Republican Senator Rob Portman said: "Any incursion by the Russian military into Ukraine should be viewed as a major incursion because it will destabilize Ukraine and freedom-loving countries in Eastern Europe.”
