“I’ve to inform you I’ve actual considerations about Russia’s actions on the borders of Ukraine. There are extra Russian forces massed on these borders than at any time since 2014 when Russia first invaded,” Blinken stated throughout an interview on “Meet the Press” Sunday.

“President Biden’s been very clear about this. If Russia acts recklessly, or aggressively, there will probably be prices, there will probably be penalties,” Blinken stated, including that the US was discussing the unfolding aggression on the border with allies and companions.

On Friday, Blinken spoke to his German and French counterparts partly, about “Russian provocations in opposition to Ukraine.”

Final week, White Home press secretary Jen Psaki stated that the Biden administration was consulting with NATO allies in regards to the uptick in tensions and cease-fire violations.

“The US is more and more involved by current escalating Russian aggression in japanese Ukraine, together with Russian troop actions on Ukraine’s border,” she advised reporters on Thursday, calling the matter “deeply regarding.”

Learn extra: U.S. involved about Russian troop actions close to Ukraine, discussing regional tensions with NATO allies

In current weeks, Moscow has elevated its army presence alongside the Ukrainian border, sparking considerations within the West of a budding army battle between the 2 neighboring nations. The Russian Protection Ministry has stated it’s conducting greater than 4,000 army drills this month to examine the readiness of its forces.

Final month, the Ukrainian authorities stated 4 of its troopers have been killed by Russian shelling in Donbass. Moscow has denied it has forces in japanese Ukraine. Since 2014, Kyiv has been battling Russian-backed separatists in a battle that has left at the very least 13,000 folks lifeless, in line with U.N. figures.

Learn extra: The West waits for Putin’s subsequent transfer as Russia-Ukraine tensions rise

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Friday that Moscow will transfer its forces throughout Russian territory at its discretion and referred to as the escalating tensions “unprecedented.” He additionally advised that Ukraine was getting ready to civil warfare, which might threaten Russia’s safety.

“The Kremlin has fears {that a} civil warfare might resume in Ukraine. And if a civil warfare, a full-scale army motion, resumes close to our borders that will threaten the Russian Federation’s safety,” Peskov stated, in line with the Related Press. “The continuing escalation of tensions is kind of unprecedented.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of resuming “harmful provocative actions” on a name Friday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in line with a readout from the Kremlin. The Kremlin has beforehand stated that it’s involved in regards to the rising tensions in japanese Ukraine and that it feared Kyiv’s forces have been making an attempt to restart a battle.

Final week, the Pentagon reiterated its requires the Kremlin to clarify its choice to mobilize troops to the border.

“The Russians are engaged in conducting a army buildup alongside the japanese border of Ukraine and in Crimea, which nonetheless belongs to Ukraine, and that’s of concern. And we wish to know extra about what it’s they’re doing and what their intentions are as a result of we do not consider it is conducive to safety and stability there.,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby advised reporters Friday.

Later this week, Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin will meet in particular person with NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg on the alliance headquarters in Brussels.