Russia ?very likely? to invade Ukraine without ?enormous sanctions? ? Schiff

Russia is "very likely" to invade Ukraine and might only be deterred by "enormous sanctions", the chair of the US House intelligence committee said on Sunday.

Adam Schiff also said an invasion could backfire on Moscow, by drawing more countries into the Nato military alliance.

"I also think that a powerful deterrent is the understanding that if they do invade, it is going to bring Nato closer to Russia, not push it farther away," he said.

After the California Democrat spoke, the White House said Joe Biden had spoken to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said in a statement: "President Biden made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine."

On Twitter, Zelenskiy said: "The first international talk of the year with [Biden] proves the special nature of our relations."

He also said the joint actions of Ukraine, the US "and partners in keeping peace in Europe, preventing further escalation, reforms, deoligarchisation were discussed. We appreciate the unwavering support of Ukraine."