Pentagon chief on reports of Russian invasion of Ukraine: we are very concerned about the situation 
possible Russian invasion of Ukraine against the backdrop of publications by a number of Western media about the alleged build-up of Russian troops near the border with a neighboring country. He was asked about this by the host of a panel session at a forum organized by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, TASS reports.
Austin noted that the United States is still very concerned about the situation and will continue to monitor it closely. He stressed that Washington is committed to protecting the sovereign territory of Ukraine. At the same time, the American minister could not explain how the United States is going to ensure the protection of Ukraine if it is not part of NATO, and whether it is possible to send American military advisers to this country. He added that Washington is considering various options for helping Kiev.
Earlier, the Associated Press, citing a source in the US President's administration Joe Biden, reported that, according to US intelligence services, Russia is planning to invade Ukraine at the beginning 2022 year. According to the interlocutor of the American edition, Moscow intends to deploy 175,000 servicemen on the Ukrainian border, with half of them already in the corresponding positions.