Biden: U.S. has not verified claim of Russia troop withdrawal

MOSCOW - President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the U.S. has "not yet verified" Russia's claim that some of its forces have withdrawn from the Ukraine border and said an invasion of Ukraine remains a distinct possibility.

Biden made the remarks at the White House hours after Russia announced that some units participating in military exercises near Ukraine's borders would begin returning to their bases. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier Tuesday said Russia was ready for talks with the United States and NATO on military transparency, missile deployment limits and other security issues.

But Biden continued to express skepticism about Russia's intentions. Biden warned again that if Russia invades Ukraine the U.S. "will rally the world to oppose its aggression."