nations have a right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. they have the freedom to set their own course and shoes with whom they will associate. but that leaves plenty of room for diplomacy and for de-escalation. we have not yet verified the russian military unit if they are retaining to their home bases. indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in the threatening position. the fact remains right now, russia has more than 150,000 troops in circling the ukraine and belarus, and along ukraine s border. an invasion remains distinctly possible. joined now by democratic senator chris murphy, he s a member of the senate formulations committee he traveled to ukraine, senator, good to have you on. what did you think of the presidents remarks today? i think there were smart, clearly leaving the window open for diplomacy. but making it clear, we are not
the russian difference minister reported today that some military are leaving their positions near ukraine. that would be good, but we have not yet verified that. we have not yet verify the russian military units are returning to their home bases. indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in the threatening position. and the fact remains right now, russia has a more than 150,000 troops in circling ukraine and belarus and along ukraine s border. an invasion remains distinctly possible. if russia attacks to ukraine, it will be met with overwhelming international condemnation. the united states and our allies and partners around the world are ready to impose powerful sanctions on export controls, including actions that did not, we did not pursue when russia invaded crimea in eastern ukraine in 2014. the president did indicate that the diplomatic off ramp is still very much available for putin saying, quote, we should
with our allies and our partners. as long as there s hope of a diplomatic resolution that prevents war and avoids human suffering that would follow, we will pursue it. the russian defense minister 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 that they re returning to their home bases. indeed, our analysts remain that they remain very much in a threatening position. the fact remains right now russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling ukraine and belarus and along ukraine s border. an invasion remains distinctly possible. that s why i ve asked several times that all americans in ukraine leave now before it s too late to leave safely.
so cnn took a look at the videos out there available today to see what we can find about what is really happening on the border. a very public display. russia s ministry of defense posting video of armor leaving crimea and it says returning to their home bases. their participation in exercise said to be over. a few hours later another convoy, fuel trucks filmed leaving crimea as well. on the same bridge, also heading east. all part of a choreographed effort by the kremlin in the ongoing information war over its intentions in ukraine. russian diplomats across europe scoff at western claims that an attack is imminent. but both u.s. officials and nape toe nato officials say russian troop numbers are continuing to rise. so just that we see movement
welcome to the show, everyone. it is wednesday, february 16th. we begin with a show of patriotism and defiance in ukraine. holding a national day of unity in the face of the looming threat over russia. moscow claims some of the troops have finished their military drills and returning to their home bases has not been verified. russian troops remain in a threatening position. meanwhile, ukraine says an investigation is underway into cyber attacks that targeted the west side of the military. cnn is covering every angle of the story as you d expect we would. alex marqise is in ukraine, melissa bell is following the u.s./nato talks in brussels and our barbara holmes is in kyiv, ukraine. michael. reporter: isa, thanks so much. the russian defense ministry has