Blinken promises 'severe' response if 'single additional Russian force' enters Ukraine

Secretary of State Antony Blinken Antony BlinkenBlinken: State Dept. tracking US embassy personnel in Kyiv 'very, very closely' Pope notes 'rising tensions' in Ukraine, calls for talks US maintains pressure on Russia amid concerns of potential Ukraine invasion MORE on Sunday warned of a “swift” and “severe” united response from the U.S. and European allies if a "single additional Russian force" enters Ukraine.

Asked by co-anchor Dana Bash Dana BashNYC mayor says he will reinstitute modified plainclothes police anti-gun unit Sanders says Biden can't count on him to support 'almost any' spending package compromise Sanders says Republicans are 'laughing all the way to Election Day' MORE on CNN’s “State of the Union” about potential aggressions by Russia and if they would lead to sanctions, Blinken emphasized that any incursion by Moscow, regardless of the size, would be met with a strong response.

“If a single additional Russian force goes into Ukraine in an aggressive way, as I said, that would trigger a swift, a severe and a united response from us and from Europe,” Blinken said.

Blinken’s warning comes as concerns are growing that Moscow is planning to invade Ukraine. Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border.

President Biden Joe BidenStudent debt: It's the interest stupid US maintains pressure on Russia amid concerns of potential Ukraine invasion To stabilize Central America, the US must craft better incentives for trade MORE on Wednesday warned that Russia would face “disaster” if it launched an offensive against Ukraine.

The U.S. has engaged in diplomacy with Russia to ease tensions in the region, though no breakthroughs have been achieved.

Blinken on Sunday said the “choice” regarding next steps in the standoff is up to Russian President Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinUS maintains pressure on Russia amid concerns of potential Ukraine invasion McCaul: Putin 'smells weakness' in Biden's 'concessions' on Russia What would Peter the Great say to Putin about space power? MORE, emphasizing that a diplomatic path is “preferable.”

“At this point, Dana, the choice is Vladimir Putin's, and there, the paths are clear. Diplomacy, dialogue, seeing if we can build collective security in a way that is good for everyone is clearly the preferable path, but we're prepared,” he said.