Russia, US clash at UN over Ukraine crisis as oligarchs threatened

In a forest on the outskirts of Kyiv, a group of Ukrainian civilians build shelters out of snow and tree branches as part of a crash course in survival techniques as fears swirl over a buildup of Russian troops on the border.

Russia and the United States clashed over Ukraine at the UN Security Council Monday, as London and Washington threatened to slap sanctions on wealthy Russian oligarchs if the ex-Soviet state is attacked.

French leader Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone for the second time in four days amid intense efforts by NATO allies to deter a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"We've seen evidence that Russia intends to expand that presence to more than 30,000 troops near the Belarus-Ukraine border, less than two hours north of Kyiv by early February," said Thomas-Greenfield.

- 'Hysterics' -

He said no Russian official had threatened to invade the former Soviet republic and that Ukrainians were being "brainwashed" by the "Russiaphobia" of the West.

The United States is "whipping up tensions and rhetoric and provoking escalation," Nebenzia said.

- Russia isolated at UN -

Macron and Putin exchanged their views on the situation "as well as issues related to providing Russia with long-term and legally-binding security guarantees," the Kremlin said in a statement after their call.

Russia sent the United States its stance on Ukraine Monday evening, just hours before the talks. A State Department spokesperson declined to divulge the details.

It had tried to block the meeting from taking place, but ten members voted to proceed with debate and three abstained, leaving Moscow isolated.

"And as we speak, Russia is sending even more forces and arms to join them."

"My president has reiterated most recently that he's ready to meet his Russian counterpart," Kyslytsya told the Council.

"For Ukraine, the first priority today is to achieve a sustainable and unconditional ceasefire in Donbass."

Meanwhile, Britain and Washington signaled that the billionaire oligarchs around Putin would be hit with sanctions in case of an invasion.

"Those in and around the Kremlin will have nowhere to hide," she said.

"There will be nowhere to hide for Putin's oligarchs," Truss told Sky News.

"The individuals we've identified are in or near the inner circle of the Kremlin and play a role in government decision-making," Psaki told reporters Monday.

The Kremlin denounced Britain's move as an "undisguised attack on business," charging that "the Anglo-Saxons are massively ramping up tensions on the European continent."

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