Timeline: Tracing Russia's growing threat to Ukraine

Here's how the situation spiralled

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which has massed troops along their border, has drawn Washington and Moscow into a Cold War-style stand-off.

Here is a timeline of the spiralling situation.

On November 10, 2021 NATO warns Moscow about taking "aggressive action" after Washington reports unusual troops movements near the Ukrainian border.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the West of "supplying modern weapons to Kyiv" and staging provocative military exercises.

Also Read | US puts 8,500 troops on 'heightened alert' over Ukraine tensions

On November 28, Ukraine says Russia is massing nearly 92,000 troops for an offensive at the end of January or early February.

Moscow denies this outright and three days later accuses Kyiv of a military build-up of its own, demanding "legal guarantees" that it will never join NATO.

On December 7, US President Joe Biden threatens Putin with "strong economic and other measures" if he invades Ukraine.

Also Read | Russian, Ukranian officials to meet in Paris on Wednesday: Macron aide

On December 16, the EU and NATO warn of "massive strategic consequences if there was a further attack on Ukraine's territorial integrity".

The next day Moscow puts forward proposals to limit US influence on former Soviet states.

On December 28, Washington and Moscow announce European security talks.

On January 2, 2022 Biden assures Ukraine that Washington and its allies would "respond decisively" if Russia moves to invade.

Three days later EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pledges the bloc's full support for Ukraine.

On January 8, a senior White House official says the US is ready to discuss with Russia the two countries' missile systems and military exercises.

On January 10, top US and Russian officials begin a week of tense talks in Geneva.

A cyberattack on January 14 briefly knocks out key government websites in Ukraine.

Kyiv says it has uncovered clues Russia could have been behind it.

On January 17, Russian troops begin arriving in ex-Soviet Belarus for snap military drills, which Moscow says are aimed at "thwarting external aggression".

US officials say the size of the force is "beyond what we'd expect of a normal exercise."

Two days later Washington announces an extra $200 million in security aid to Kyiv.

On January 20, Biden says any incursion of Russian troops is "an invasion" after appearing to suggest a "minor" attack on Ukraine could invite a lesser response.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he asked Russsian counterpart Sergei Lavrov at a meeting on Friday to prove Russia is not planning to invade Ukraine.

Washington promises a written response to Russian security demands the following week.

The same day ex-Soviet NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- after the green-light from Washington -- say they will send anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to allow Ukraine to defend itself.

Russia vows "the most serious consequences" if Washington keeps ignoring its "legitimate security concerns" over Ukraine.

Russia also demands the withdrawal of NATO troops from Romania and Bulgaria.

On Saturday Britain alleges that Moscow is "looking to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv" and planning for an attack.

Moscow dismisses the claims as "disinformation".

The next day Ukraine vows to counter Russian influence over its political and economic life.

In the evening Washington orders the families of its diplomats in Kyiv to leave the country "due to the continued threat" of a Russian invasion, also warning against travel to Russia.

Britain withdraws some staff and their relatives from its embassy in Ukraine on Monday, while France advises nationals against non-essential travel there.

NATO allies put forces on standby and send ships and fighter jets to bolster Europe's eastern defences.

Biden schedules a video call with European allies later Monday to discuss a common response.

Global stock markets fall, spooked by fears of war.

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