Kiev -

In the midst of the current tensions and escalation between Russia and the West, Ukraine is re-emerging as a major arena for a possible confrontation, especially since many factors, reasons and accusations from both sides are hovering around or leveling at it.

These include the escalation in the separatist eastern Ukraine, the maneuvers and counter maneuvers in the Black Sea, the large Russian deployment on the eastern, southern and northern borders, the issue of the controversial "Nord Stream 2" gas pipeline, and even the refugee crisis on the nearby Belarusian-Polish border, and many more. sub.

Russian military buildup

The large Russian military build-up near the border with Ukraine is the hottest issue, reminiscent of the uproar that similar crowds made last April.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently warned that Russia has mobilized about 100,000 fighters on Ukraine's borders, but the former reiterated that it is not planning any military intervention on Ukrainian territory, and its right to mobilize any military forces inside its territory.


Ukrainian preparations

Ukraine appears to be taking these "threats" and the prospect of a Russian "invasion" seriously, US and NATO officials say.

Over the past few days, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has shuttled visits to several bases and military outposts, and announced that his country intends to deploy NEPTON anti-ship missile systems on its southern borders, and to purchase more drones from Turkey.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that "the Ukrainian army has been put on a "permanent state of alert" to defend the country, against a large-scale invasion, and to counter any Russian attempt to seize positions in vital infrastructure."

And Ukraine announced - earlier - the deployment of about 8,500 soldiers on its northern border with Belarus, in anticipation of the influx of migrants in the short term, and the entry of Russian soldiers (or subversive reconnaissance groups disguised as migrants), as described by one of the army’s brigades.


Remarkable western support

In addition to local preparations, the Ukrainians are counting on the support of allies in the West, specifically the United States and NATO, especially in the context of the country's relentless efforts towards NATO membership.

Here, a remarkable fact emerges, which is that today's escalation is being met with unprecedented Western support for Ukraine, and is not limited - as it was - to expressions of political support, calls for calm, and threats of sanctions.

This support reached the point of declaring Mike Turner - the Republican senator in the US Senate - that the United States had actually sent military personnel to Ukraine against the backdrop of the current tension.

In addition, Britain announced its willingness to send 600 soldiers to Ukraine within 36 hours.

In this context, a new batch of US defense aid arrived in Ukraine on Monday, which included nearly 80 tons of munitions, according to the US embassy in Kiev.

Bloomberg reported that the United States is currently discussing with its European allies possible responses, if Russian President Vladimir Putin takes any military measures against Ukraine, including imposing new sanctions on Moscow, and providing more security assistance to Kiev.

This is in addition to the continuation of exercises between Ukraine, the United States, Turkey and Romania in the waters of the Black Sea, with the participation of 7 warships, including the US command ship "Mount Whitney", whose presence in the region angered Russia.

NATO ships conduct military exercises with Ukrainian forces in the Black Sea during March 2021 (Agencies)

Aid to the separatists

In the midst of this, it seems that Russia is taking this support seriously as well, and is accelerating steps to fortify its "defense or attack" lines.

On Monday, President Putin signed a decree on "humanitarian support" for the separatist population of eastern Ukraine, which sparked a wave of suspicion and anger in Ukraine.

"This humanitarian support is a slap in the face to all those who sincerely sought a peaceful settlement," former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in a tweet on Twitter.

In reference to previous accusations leveled by Ukraine against Russia of transferring equipment, weapons and soldiers to the separatists loyal to it, through "aid trucks".

This is in addition to Russia's reinforcement of the size of its forces presence in northern regions near Ukraine, after the conclusion of the joint "Zabad 2021" (West 2021) maneuvers with Belarus;

Moscow does not hide that this is "to ensure its security, against the background of the aggressive actions of NATO."


The reality of escalation

However, despite many official statements skeptical of intentions, warning of the danger of the escalation and its repercussions, voices expressing different views, albeit faintly, are emerging.

The writer and political analyst Dmytro Voronkov does not recommend the "Russian invasion scenario," as he called it, "although anything can be expected from Russia."

To achieve its goals against Ukraine and the West, Voronkov explains to Al Jazeera Net that Russia can support its loyalists, provoke internal and border disputes, use weapons of cyber attacks and immigration, and others;

"As for the option of total war, I think it makes no sense for Putin, and he does not need him."

The analyst adds, "If we take into account that Ukraine denied a few days ago the presence of new Russian military build-up on the border, and then suddenly moved to warn them, it cannot be excluded that what is happening is an artificial crisis in Ukraine, and a deliberate provocation of Russia pushed by Washington, to create a certain tension. It seems to be in her best interest."

According to Voronkov, the Americans may want to undermine European confidence in Russia, especially in Berlin.

Thus, this may be an opportunity to put more pressure on Russia, and prevent it from increasing its influence and allying with China, by tightening sanctions and freezing Nord Stream 2 for a certain period, coinciding with NATO's advance more and more towards its borders.