Tensions between Russia and the Ukraine have been steadily growing over the last two weeks as U.S. officials have voiced concern over unusual Russian military activity on the Ukrainian border. Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State expressed “real concerns” over the current state of affairs on the border, saying that his concerns have been echoed by diplomatic partners in Europe. Blinken alluded to the possibility of another Russian attack on Ukraine soil.
Relations between the two Eastern European nations have been rocky at best in the wake of several violent conflicts following Ukraine’s 2014 revolution. Russian officials continue to dispute Ukraine’s independence, claiming that Russia and Ukraine are one nation and one people. Despite widespread condemnation from world leaders and the United Nations, Russia continues to assert its claim to Ukrainian territory, although international pressure has deescalated the conflict somewhat.
True to form, Russian officials have denied accusations of suspicious military activity, stating that the claims made by the U.S. are inflammatory and exaggerated.
Military intelligence from the Ukraine suggests that Russia is amassing tens of thousands of troops on the border of the two nations, in preparation for an assault that will likely come early next year. Predictions suggest that the assault will be comprehensive and multimodal, combining air-strikes, amphibious assault, and foot-soldier invasion.
Russia has fired back by accusing NATO forces of increasing their activity and presence in former USSR territory, while doubling down on their assertion that accusations made against them are deliberately inflammatory.
Russian officials have put forth their own hypothesis about the meaning behind the hysteria. The prevailing belief within Russian military forces is that NATO is aiding the Ukraine in arming itself against Russian forces following their 2014 annexure of Crimea. Whether that is to recapture their lost territory or to defend against further invasion remains unclear.
The Ukraine has recently been the recipient of repurposed patrol boats from the U.S. Coastguard as well as heavy artillery and ammunition supplied by the U.S. military. The military support being provided to the Ukraine by the U.S. has drawn the ire of Russian officials who believe that the U.S. is overstepping its bounds.
Russia has formally demanded that NATO cease occupying territory in the region, asserting that there is no logical excuse for such a presence. Putin has reportedly claimed that any continued military development in the Ukraine on NATO’s behalf would cross a Russian “red line”. Belarusian and Russian officials have stated the intention to respond to the development of military training centres in the Ukraine, although what this response entails is yet unclear so it’s best to wait and play at slotscanada.net until there’s some clear direction.
The Ukraine has responded to Putin’s claims by arguing that Russian “red lines” exist and apply only within the borders of Russia and have no power elsewhere. The Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO have caused further tension between the two nations with Putin publicly opposing the idea and backing up his position with significant military activity on the border. Despite claims that such activity is merely a security measure, Western forces remain watchful for any Russian incursion.
