Biden says U.S. has "not verified" Russian troop pullback

President Biden acknowledged reports on Tuesday that Russia has ordered the partial withdrawal of its troops near Ukraine's borders, but stressed that the U.S. has "not yet verified" the Kremlin's claims and that an invasion remains "distinctly possible."

Why it matters: Biden's update from the White House came at a critical moment in the crisis over Russia's massive military buildup, with U.S. officials warning that an invasion of Ukraine could take place as soon "at any moment."

Biden said Moscow's claims of a military pullback, which President Vladimir Putin acknowledged himself on Tuesday, would be "good" — but that U.S. analysts believe Russia's forces "remain very much in a threatening position."