Speaking of the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine, President Biden told reporters on Friday that he is “convinced” Russian President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind to invade. 

“As of this moment, I’m convinced he’s made the decision. We have reason to believe that,” Biden said, when asked if he thought Putin was leaning one way or another. As to a question about whether or not diplomacy is therefore still an option, Biden replied, “Until he does, diplomacy is always a possibility.” 

The U.S. has “signifcant intelligence capability” that’s led officials to that conclusion, Biden added.

Kyiv and Moscow have been engaged in a delicate back and forth for weeks now, as Russian troops continue to threatingly gather en masse on Ukraine’s border, despite Putin’s assurances there’s no invasion on the horizon. 

Rightfully so, Western leaders nonetheless remain skeptical of the Kremlin’s true intentions, and have continued to warn that evidence points to an incoming attack any day now.

That said, however, as pointed out by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, officials have up until now repeatedly said they were unsure as to whether Putin had determined his next move. Biden’s remarks today were a vote of confidence otherwise.