White House warns Russia could invade Ukraine during Olympics, urges

Any Americans still in Ukraine should leave “immediately,” the White House said Friday, as it warned that Russia could potentially launch an invasion of the country “any day now” — possibly even during the Olympics.

“Any American in Ukraine should leave as soon as possible, and in any event in the next 24 to 48 hours,” President Joe Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, said during a press briefing.

Sullivan noted that the U.S. is not certain that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a final decision to invade Ukraine. But “it may well happen soon,” he said.

Russia has spent months building up its military presence at various points along the Ukrainian border. More than 100,000 Russian troops are currently stationed there.

Should Russia invade, the U.S. and its allies are “ready to respond decisively” through an array of actions, such as imposing “severe economic sanctions” and changes to NATO’s force posture, Sullivan said.

“Whatever happens next, the west is more united than it’s been in years,” Sullivan said.

Biden earlier Friday held a video call with several NATO leaders to discuss the conflict.

This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.

— CNBC’s Christina Wilkie contributed to this report.