Biden says US is ‘ready no matter what happens’ as Russia escalates threat on Ukraine – as it happened

• Biden: We continue to urge diplomacy as the best way forward'
• Swift and severe consequences' from US if Russia invades Ukraine
• Blinken to speak with Russian foreign minister tomorrow
• UN to meet to discuss recent threats of a Russian invasion
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Donald Trump is being widely accused of saying the quiet part loud", when protesting that Mike Pence could have overturned" his boss's election defeat by Joe Biden.

Though he has appeared to admit Biden won before, Trump usually insists he won and his opponent stole the election through voter fraud - the big lie" which animates rallies like one in Conroe, Texas, on Saturday.