President Joe Biden, speaking from the White House, said the US has “not yet verified” claims that Russian troops are withdrawing from the Ukrainian border.

He said: “As long as there is hope for diplomatic resolution that prevents the use of force and avoids the incredible human suffering that would follow, we will pursue it.

“The Russian defence ministry reported today that some military units are leaving their positions near Ukraine.

“That would be good, but we have not yet verified that.

“We have not yet verified the Russian military units are returning to their home bases, indeed our analysts indicate that they remain very much in the threatening position.

“The fact remains right now that Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine’s border.

“An invasion remains distinctly possible, that’s what I’ve asked several times that all Americans in Ukraine leave now.”