WASHINGTON, Feb 10, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Russia continues to build up its
forces along the border with Ukraine and has now deployed "north of 100,000"
troops, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

  "We have continued to see even over the last 24 hours additional
capabilities flow from elsewhere in Russia to that border with Ukraine and
Belarus," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

  "We're not going to get into providing specific numbers but the numbers
continue to grow," he said.

  Referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kirby said "we maintain that
he's north of 100,000 for sure."

  "And he continues to add to that capability," he said. "We also see
indications that additional battalion tactical groups are on their way.

  "And so every day he adds to his options. Every day he adds to his
capabilities. Every day he continues to destabilize what is already a very
tense situation," Kirby said.

  "And he could easily re-stabilize by moving these forces back home, and by
committing to a diplomatic path forward."

  Kirby's comments came as the White House said President Joe Biden got a
debriefing from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron about meetings this
week with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.

  Macron met with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week
in a bid to find a diplomatic path out of the crisis sparked by Russia's
positioning of a large military force on Ukraine's border while demanding
that the ex-Soviet republic never be allowed to join the Western NATO
alliance.

  Both French and Russian officials have made cautiously optimistic
statements since then, although the Kremlin has sent mixed signals and
continues the build-up of forces on Ukraine's sea and land borders.