US President Joe Biden said Friday that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky "didn't want to hear" American warnings ahead of Russia's invasion of his country.
"I know a lot of people thought I was exaggerating," Joe Biden said at a fundraising reception in Los Angeles, referring to his forewarning of the possibility of a Russian attack.
"But I knew we had data to sustain (the assessment)," he added in front of reporters.
"(Russian President Vladimir Putin) was gonna go into the border. And there was no doubt, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn't want to hear it, nor did a lot of people. I understand why they didn't want to hear it, but he went in."
The United States began raising the alarm over Russia's preparations for an invasion of Ukraine well before Putin announced the "special operation" against the country on February 24.
The warnings were met with disbelief and even veiled criticism from some European allies, who at the time felt the United States was being too alarmist.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Haryana Man, 22, Fighting Russia-Ukraine War On The Frontline, Dies Donald Trump Claims He Offered Joe Biden $1 Million To Play Golf, He Rejected "Treated Him Horribly": Trump Calls Biden's Poll Exit A "Coup By Democrats" Woman Found Chained In Maharashtra Jungle With US Passport Copy In Pocket Bulldozer Action In Delhi After 3 Die In Coaching Centre Basement Tragedy Israel, Hezbollah On Brink Of All-Out War After 12 Die In Rocket Strike PM Modi To Address Industry Leaders Post-Union Budget France Train Services Resume 3 Days After Arson Attacks Disrupted Travel Haryana Man, 22, Fighting Russia-Ukraine War On The Frontline, Dies Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.