Key takeaways:

·   While Russian warships practised target shooting in the Black Sea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the West to tone down its anti-invasion rhetoric, claiming that it was endangering his country's economy.

·   Zelensky also chastised several countries, including Canada, for removing the families of diplomats working at their embassies.

Even as Russian warships practiced target shooting in the Black Sea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the West to tone its rhetoric about an invasion, claiming that it was endangering his country's economy.

"We should not be alarmed. We have a formidable army at our disposal "On Friday, he told reporters.

These statements appear to contradict the security threat assessment made by US Vice President Joe Biden. In a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart on Thursday, Biden said there was "a distinct chance" of a Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.

When asked about Zelensky's comments urging the West to calm down, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended the administration's messaging, citing the presence of over 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders.

"It's a risky situation. And, as we've been saying for more than a week, Russia could invade at any time. "On Friday, she stated. "This has been our message for a long time, and we've been very consistent with it."

On Friday, Biden told reporters that some US troops will be deployed to NATO allies in East Europe "in the near term."

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, refuted that claim once more, saying that while Moscow does not want a war, it is ready to start one. Lavov stated that if Europe fails to provide security guarantees, Russia will react but not elaborate on how.

Several countries, including Canada, were also chastised by Zelensky for removing the families of diplomats operating at their embassies.

"I believe it was a blunder," he admitted. "I believe embassy personnel should be present."

NATO warned Russia on Friday that it would face severe economic sanctions if it invaded. The alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, told CTV News Channel's Power Play that Ukraine's military now has more muscle as well as backing than what it did when Russia annexed Crimea eight years ago.

"The Ukrainian army will be able to defend itself and Ukraine in a completely different way than it was in 2014," he predicted. "Of course, Ukraine has the right to self-defense."

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that Canada would stretch Operation UNIFIER in Ukraine. Canadian soldiers might continue to train Ukrainian armed forces and the national guard, a move lauded by Stoltenberg.

"Canada is one of the leading NATO countries in terms of providing support for Ukraine, and you have been doing so for a long time," he said. "There aren't many other countries putting in the same amount of effort as Canada."

However, when asked if Canada should provide weapons to Ukraine like other NATO countries, the NATO chief dodged the question.

"Different allies hold opposing viewpoints on this. What Canada is doing is already making a significant difference, "he stated.