Russia's military escalation at the Ukrainian border and the country's demand that NATO not expand further east have several explanations, according to Fredrik Löjdquist, head of the Center for Eastern European Studies.

- Russia has several goals with its aggressive behavior.

They want control over Ukraine and other neighboring countries in a kind of Russian sphere of influence where you can decide on their foreign and security policy, he says in Aktuellt.

- It is also about wanting to destroy the European security system based on international law and important principles of territorial integrity, countries self-determination and sovereignty, and get it replaced with a system where the great powers settle the rules of the game for smaller countries.

Fredrik Löjdquist believes that there is a significant risk of armed conflict.

The rhetoric and military escalation is meant to get the West to make concessions and start negotiating.

At the same time, Russia has previously shown its willingness to resort to violence in order to achieve its goals.

- A pistol has been put on the table, says Fredrik Löjdquist.

The United States is not prepared to fight

Jan Hallenberg, research leader at the Foreign Policy Institute, does not believe that there will be a military intervention from the United States or NATO in a Russian attack.

According to him, however, it is not certain that there will be an armed conflict, and if such a conflict occurs, it will probably be one on a smaller scale, according to him.

- Ukraine is not a member of NATO.

The defense guarantee only applies to the 30 members.

The president of the United States has made it clear that they will not send American troops, he says.

However, the United States has promised military aid in other ways in the form of material resources, but the message to Ukraine is clear, according to Jan Hallenberg:

- We are on your side, but we are not prepared to fight on your side.