How far would the US go to protect Ukraine from Russia 2:08
Odessa, Ukraine (CNN) -
Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov told CNN that there will be a "really bloody massacre" if Russia decides to invade Ukraine.
And he warned that "the Russians will also return in coffins," amid increased alarm over troop movements on the border of both nations.
Reznikov urged US President Joe Biden - who is scheduled to speak to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a video conference Tuesday - to stand firm against Moscow.
"If I can advise President Biden, I would like him to tell Mr. Putin that there should be no red lines on the Kremlin's side. The red line is here in Ukraine and the civilized world will react without hesitation," Reznikov told CNN in a exclusive interview on Monday.
"The idea of not provoking Russia will not work," he added.
When could Russia invade Ukraine?
2:10
Concern for Ukraine
US and Western officials have expressed concern about the concentration of Russian forces on the border with Ukraine, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that the United States "must prepare for all contingencies."
Russia has the capacity along the Ukraine border to carry out a swift and immediate invasion, including building supply lines such as medical units and fuel that could sustain a protracted conflict, should Moscow decide to invade, they told CNN last week two sources familiar with the US intelligence assessments.
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Reznikov told CNN that Ukraine assesses that Russia currently has 95,000 troops within striking distance of Ukraine.
He also added that due to the might of Ukrainian forces, current US estimates that Russia could muster 175,000 troops to invade Ukraine were low.
"So we have 250,000 officers ... members of our army. Also, I would say about 400,000 veterans and 200,000 reservists. 175,000 is not enough to go to Ukraine," Reznikov said.
Reznikov stressed that a Russian invasion - if it occurs - would have "disastrous" consequences for the entire European continent, with an estimated 4 to 5 million Ukrainians likely to seek refuge in Europe.
Reznikov also stressed that Ukraine is a major supplier of food to Europe and Africa, supplies that he said would be disrupted.
Why Russia has eyes on Ukraine again 2:07
They ask for more help
The minister said the Ukrainian army has sent a request for more military aid from its allies, including material support and training for its air force and navy.
"We don't need troops, because I think it's not very fair for American soldiers to die in Ukraine. No, we don't need them," Reznikov added.
Ukraine has warned for weeks that Russia is trying to destabilize the country in advance of any planned military invasion, and NATO has noted that Russian movements near the border have been unusual.
Western powers have repeatedly urged Russia not to take further aggressive action against Ukraine.
The Kremlin denies that it is planning an attack and argues that NATO support for Ukraine, including arms supplies and military training, constitutes a growing threat on Russia's western flank.
On the Kremlin's motives, Reznikov told CNN that he believed Russia's saber rattling was aimed at sowing fear and unrest in Ukraine, and preventing Ukraine from getting closer to NATO and the EU.
The Kremlin demands a legal commitment that NATO will not expand eastward to include Ukraine and that NATO's military infrastructure, such as missile systems, will not be built in the country.
"If we share or spread panic in our country and within our society, it will be a gift to the Kremlin, because they are trying to do that. With this congregation of their troops next to our border, it is a main objective of them to make a process of destabilization within our country, to get in our way. But we are going to the NATO ally, we are going to the EU, "he said.
Invasion