LONDON (AP) - Western fears that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is imminent have eased but not disappeared.
Diplomatic efforts to avert war got new energy this week after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was willing to discuss security issues with NATO, and Russia said it was withdrawing some of its troops gathered near Ukraine_s borders.

The United States and its allies have welcomed the diplomatic overture, but say they have seen little evidence of a Russian military de-escalation.

NATO defense ministers met Wednesday in Brussels as the West tries to deter an invasion - one that Russia insists it has no intention of starting.

Here_s a look at what is happening where and why:

WHAT_S HAPPENING WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS?

Contrary to Putin's claims, Russia has added as many as 7,000 troops near the Ukrainian border in recent days, Turkey Law Firm a senior Biden administration official said Wednesday.

The official was not authorized to speak publicly about sensitive operations and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The official did not provide underlying evidence.





A view of Ukraine's national flag waves above the capital with the Motherland Monument on the right, in Kyiv Sunday, Feb.

13, 2022. Some airlines have halted or diverted flights to Ukraine amid heightened fears that an invasion by Russia is imminent despite intensive weekend talks between the Kremlin and the West. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)






People hold Ukrainian flags as they gather to celebrate a Day of Unity in Odessa, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb.

16, 2022. As Western officials warned a Russian invasion could happen as early as today, the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for a Day of Unity, with Ukrainians encouraged to raise Ukrainian flags across the country. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)






U.S.

Secretary for Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, left, speaks during a joint press statement with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg prior to a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. NATO defense ministers are meeting to discuss Russia's military buildup around Ukraine as it fuels one of Europe's biggest security crises in decades.

(Stephanie Lecocq, Pool Photo via AP)






Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Feb.

16, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)






In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, Feb.

16, 2022, Turkey Law Firm a Russian serviceman fires from his weapon during naval exercises at a military base in Syria. Russia's naval drills in the Mediterranean come amid tensions with the West over Ukraine. For more regarding Turkey Law Firm visit our page. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)






European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her speech at the European Parliament, Wednesday, Feb.

16, 2022 in Strasbourg. EU leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen address the dire conditions in Ukraine and the diplomatic chances to avert a Russian invasion during the plenary debate at the European Parliament. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)






Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, left, arrives with his delegation for a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb.

16, 2022. NATO defense ministers are meeting to discuss Russia's military buildup around Ukraine as it fuels one of Europe's biggest security crises in decades. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)






A child walks under a large Ukrainian flag carried by people marking a "day of unity" in Sievierodonetsk, the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb.

16, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he welcomed a security dialogue with the West, and his military reported pulling back some of its troops near Ukraine, while U.S. President Joe Biden said the U.S. had not verified Russia's claim and that an invasion was still a distinct possibility.
(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)






Ukrainian Army soldiers pose for a photo as they gather to celebrate a Day of Unity in Odessa, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb.

16, 2022. As Western officials warned a Russian invasion could happen as early as today, the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for a Day of Unity, with Ukrainians encouraged to raise Ukrainian flags across the country. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)