Ukrainian President requested citizens to celebrate a “Day of Unity” on Wednesday as Washington warned that Russia might launch a devastating attack. President Volodymyr Zelensky chose the date for what he hoped would be a patriotic outpouring after US reports suggested Russian forces could attack Ukraine by February 16.

A diplomatic campaign is underway to divert the crisis initiated when Russia posted more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders, supported with fleet reinforcements and powerful artillery and missile systems. There were expectations for a breakthrough as President Vladimir Putin met Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz to a negotiated solution, and Moscow said it had started to bring back some forces. But US President Joe Biden demanded that Russia prove its good intentions with a verifiable withdrawal. “Reports says that they are still in a threatening position. The United States is prepared no matter what happens. We are ready with diplomacy,” Biden said.