Biden to speak to nation as crisis with Russia over Ukraine escalates

The 4 p.m. remarks will come after Biden calls transatlantic leaders.

President Joe Biden was set to speak to the nation Friday afternoon on what the White House said are U.S. efforts to ease tensions over Ukraine, amid increased shelling and possible false-flag attacks Russia could use to falsely justify an invasion.

Biden will make remarks after he holds a call with translatlantic leaders to discuss continued efforts at deterrence and diplomacy and what the White House called "Russia's buildup of military troops on the border of Ukraine."

Although he has said a diplomatic resolution is still possible, on Thursday he called the risk of conflict "very high" and that he expects Russia to invade Ukraine "with the next several days."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will participate in the call, along with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, the EU, and NATO, according to Trudeau's office.