Russian forces have reportedly been deployed, awaiting only Putin's order

Two-thirds of the 110 battalions have been positioned within 50km of the border between half and a week ago and half of them are the tactically dislocated” in temporary locations near Ukraine, reports The Guardian.

Officials said they believed the <x0 diplomatic route has not ended” and that the purpose of French President Emmanuel Macron's conversation with Vladimir Putin on Sunday was “to continue engaging President Putin in dialogue and diplomacy”. But they argued that continued military growth is not in line with any relief of the crisis. Russian forces “have moved from being in a position to attack on being ready to attack. This is not in line with the Russian involvement at this point in a diplomatic de-scalation”.

Military sources added that Russia could keep troops so close to the border only “for several days”, but said they could be pulled to areas further.