Integrating the most modern technology, capable of protecting the soldier very well, and equipped with modern weapons, the Ratnik equipment turns ordinary soldiers into scary warriors. The future warrior uniform was developed by the Russian Defense Ministry in the early 2000s to replace the Barmitsa military outfit. Russia for the first time experimented with this uniform in the Syrian battlefield, but in the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, the separatist soldiers also wore military uniforms with almost the same camouflage pattern as Ratnik. The image of Ukraine separatist soldiers wearing military uniforms with the motif of the future Ratnik military outfit. This Ukrainian separatist soldier was also mourned with the armor of the Ratnik armed forces. “Ratnik” includes modules that can be changed according to the operational mission. They consist of about 50 different ingredients and withstand temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees °. However, the separatist soldiers in Ukraine are equipped with only the most basic components including uniforms, armor, bulletproof helmets and leather boots. Modern equipment such as AK-12 assault rifles, A-545, communication systems, electronic communications systems, glasses, knee protection and arm guards and many other components are not allowed. equipping Ukraine’s separatist forces. Equipped with only the most basic of the elements, the Ratnik armament has helped the Ukrainian separatists look modern, and especially has bulletproof armor that will help them survive on the battlefield. The major powers including Russia are racing to research and manufacture a future warrior with requirements such as the best protection for users, integration of modern communication technology as well as goal orientation and excellent combat ability of individual super weapons. The Russian Ratnik futuristic warrior is one of the few best in the world today. Armor on the Ratnik armament makes the Russian soldiers safe from sniper rifles’ armor-piercing bullets. “The latest communication, intelligence, radio and electronic warfare systems, modern guns as well as the Ratnik combat uniform have been tested in action,” said Borisov, Deputy Minister of State. Russian room once said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper. This uniform can safely shield 90% of the soldier’s body, in addition to the equipment on the uniform also helps increase their survivability in fierce battlefields. Key components include bulletproof helmets, glasses, armor, knee and elbow protectors, durable leather shoes with water resistance, electronic equipment for communication and target positioning together. with the latest assault rifles. Although there are about 50 different components, but this outfit is not too heavy, durable and light materials are used. Most notably, the armor weighs 7.5kg, with the ability to protect soldiers against 7.62mm bullets from the SVD sniper rifle shot at a distance of 10m. The neck and shoulders of this bulletproof armor also added extra pads to protect soldiers against shrapnel. Full set of support tools for soldiers on Ratnik equipment, including flashlights, hand shovels and a set of multi-purpose knives … these items are made with special technology and are functional. good while being quite light in weight. Each Ratnik armament is also equipped with specialized electronic devices such as GPS or GLONASS, a high-frequency radio communication system with a separate encoder to increase the security of the communication channel. be changed from 10-30 seconds each time. One of the interesting components of this outfit is a hand-held water filter with the ability to filter up to 15 liters of dirty water into clean water for soldiers to use when needed. The basic weight of the Ratnik armament is only 12kg and up to 20kg, while with the Barmitsa this figure is up to 36kg. The Russian army chooses two new models of assault rifles that will be equipped with the Ratnik in the future, the AK-12 and A-545. The lifespan of each Ratnik suit is 5 years and each soldier can wear it for up to 48 hours. And depending on the requirements each Ratnik equipment quest can be changed. With this uniform, Russian soldiers will increase their combat power to a new level. Currently Russia is continuing to develop upgraded variants of the Ratnik armed forces to further enhance the combat strength of its troops.

The video shows Russia withdrawing its troops from Crimea. Video: Russian Ministry of Defense The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the same day video footage of tanks, armored artillery and soldiers boarding the landing craft on the Crimean coast one after another. This is also where Russia has just completed the exercise with the participation of 60 warships, more than 10,000 soldiers, about 200 aircraft and 1,200 ground vehicles. The withdrawal was carried out by Russia after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu asserted that “the army has proven its ability to ensure the country’s defense”. “I decided to complete inspection activities in the Western and Southern Military Region bordering Ukraine,” Shoigu said on April 22. Russian battleships boarded the amphibious ships to return to their permanent base. Photo: ITN According to Mr. Shoigu, the withdrawal will be completed by May 1. However, Russia still retains the weapons here for the exercises at the end of the year. The aforementioned weapons have been increased by Russia to Crimea and the region near the Russian border since late March, amid Moscow fears that the Ukrainian army has launched a bloody large-scale war against pro-Russian separatists in the East. Ukraine. NATO and Ukraine expressed concern over Russia’s military action and repeatedly urged Moscow to withdraw. Some Western sources even expressed skepticism that Russia had actually withdrawn.

Russian soldiers are waiting in line to board the Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane (Image: Reuters) Following the announcement, the currencies of both Russia and Ukraine surged, signaling a sigh of relief from investors just hours after Russia finished its Crimea exercise – the region that has returned to be part of the campaign. Russia in 2014. Since 2014, Russian-backed separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian government in the region. Hence, the confirmation of the Russian withdrawal is likely to be welcomed by Western countries, which have expressed concern over the prospect of Russia intervening more deeply in eastern Ukraine. This month, a spokesman for the President of Ukraine said, Russia has deployed more than 40,000 troops on the eastern border of Ukraine and more than 40,000 in Crimea, of which about 50,000 are new deployments. Moscow does not release specific numbers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter that Ukraine “welcomes any move to reduce its military presence and the situation in Donbass (eastern Ukraine)”, at the same time “grateful to international partners. supported them “. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Kyiv did not know whether Moscow would launch an attack, and said that if Russia does, the West must make sure it is on Ukraine’s side. “So now it can go in either direction” – Mr. Kuleba said – “And this is why the homogeneous Western response is so important right now.” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington was aware of the Russian announcement and was closely monitoring the situation at the border. “We have heard the words and what we are looking for is action” – Mr. Price said. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said he ordered the soldiers participating in the exercises to return to the base before May 1 after completing what he called a “check” in the border area. “I believe that the quick test has completely achieved its goal. The military has proven its ability to provide a reliable defense for the country,” he said. Military weapons will be gathered at a training ground near the city of Voronezh, about six hours’ drive from Ukraine, so that they can be used again later this year in another scheduled large exercise. Hours earlier, Mr. Shoigu had attended exercises in Crimea, which Moscow says involved 10,000 troops and more than 40 warships. Russia also announced that it had arrested a Ukrainian man as spies in the Crimea. Being stationed near Ukraine is one of the problems that has intensified tensions between Russia and the West. Last week, the US tightened sanctions against Russia for accusing it of cyber-attacks and meddling in the presidential election held last November. Along with that, the Czech Republic also accused Moscow of having a role in the deadly explosion at an arms depot in 2014. Both countries expelled Russian diplomats, angering Moscow to deny the allegations and expelled their diplomats in response. In an important speech on April 21, President Vladimir Putin warned Western countries not to cross the “red line”, though he did not specify what this line is. This week, however, Putin will still attend a climate summit hosted by US President Joe Biden. In Moscow, the Kremlin said Putin had received an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to meet to discuss the crisis. “If the President deems it necessary, he will answer himself. I have nothing to say about that now “- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russian military weapons appeared in Crimea. Photo: ITN With the above decision, the Russian troops reinforced to reach the Ukraine border will be withdrawn to a permanent base deep inside Russian territory from today (April 23) to May 1, with ground forces. will return to bases in Vladikavkaz, Novosibirsk and troops from air force units return to bases in Pskov and Ivanovo. However, Shoigu said Russia would still keep military weapons and equipment at the Pogonovo firing range in the Voronezh region, some 160 kilometers east of the Ukrainian border for other Russian military maneuvers by the end. year 2021. Both NATO and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky welcomed the step. “The gradual withdrawal of troops from the border between the two countries will cool down tensions. Ukraine remains vigilant, but very welcome any move to reduce its military presence,” the President of Ukraine wrote on Twitter. Since late March 2021, Russia has deployed about 120,000 troops in Crimea and near the Ukrainian border, the highest level since the conflict in eastern Ukraine broke out in 2014, according to NATO reports. Russia did not confirm the increased number of troops, but confirmed that the recent Crimea drills involved 60 warships, more than 10,000 soldiers, about 200 aircraft and 1,200 ground vehicles.

Mr. Zelensky (left) and Mr. Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was welcome in Moscow “at any time” but stressed that he should discuss the conflict in eastern Ukraine directly with the separatists. “If we are talking about bilateral relations, by all means, we are ready to welcome the President of Ukraine at any time convenient for him,” the Russian leader said during a meeting with the Belarusian leader. Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow, according to Tass . Putin’s invitation to Zelensky came in response to this week’s request by the President of Ukraine to meet the two leaders in eastern Ukraine, where the fighting intensified between the Kyiv army and the faction. Pro-Moscow separatism has raised concerns about an all-out war. Ukraine, the European Union and the US have recently set off alarm bells about Russian troops gathering troops on the borders of the former Soviet Union country. Moscow said the military was conducting drills in response to NATO exercises and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday ordered the army to return to its permanent base by May 1. “If President Zelensky wants to begin to heal relations, we certainly welcome,” Putin told reporters as he began talks with President Lukashenko. But the Russian leader said that if Mr. Zelensky hoped to solve the problems stemming from the fighting in eastern Ukraine, he should first meet with the leaders of the separatist zones in Donetsk and Lugansk. “And it was only then that these matters were discussed with representatives of third countries, in this case Russia,” Putin said. Kiev has been fighting the separatists in areas east of Donetsk and Lugansk since 2014. The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people, and has seen about 30 Ukrainian soldiers perished since the beginning of 2021, compared with the number 50 of the whole 2020. Sponsorship news

State news agency Anadolu said both deployments, scheduled for April 14 and 15, were canceled as Ankara has not been informed of any possible plans from the US side.

Last week, Turkey announced that it had been informed through diplomatic channels that two US warships “would head towards the Black Sea” and remained in the area until 4-5.

There was no confirmation from Washington of planned rollouts or cancellations.

Washington was obliged to notify Ankara at least 15 days before passing warships through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles under the terms of the 1936 Montreux Convention.

The Strait of Bosphorus in the Black Sea – Photo: AFP

The treaty provisions allow foreign warships to stay in the Black Sea for 21 days.

US Navy ships have regularly operated in the region to support Ukraine, which has been fighting against forces in its east since the pro-Moscow leader in Kiev was overthrown in 2014.

Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea at the same time, setting up a confrontation with the West that continues to this day.

Last week, the announcement of the US warship deployment came amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Kiev due to the reinforcement of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border.

These deployments came amid new clashes between Kiev and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

News on April 14 about the cancellation of the deployment of US warships comes a day after US President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

During that conversation, Biden proposed a summit with Putin in a neutral country and urged Russia to “reduce tensions,” according to the White House.

Specifically, speaking before the meeting of the Defense Sub-Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels – Belgium, Andrii Taran noted that he could not rule out the possibility that Russian forces in Crimea could “take provocative actions. military promotion “in 2021.

Earlier, Mr Taran said “Russian provocations” could exacerbate conflicts in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine bordering Russia. Taran revealed that Russia concentrates 110,000 troops on the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian tanks during an exercise near Crimea. Photo: Reuters

According to Reuters, any decision by Russia to move nuclear weapons to Crimea will be a bad development in East-West tensions. That gesture would increase tensions for a newly renewed arms control treaty between the US and Russia.

Concerning developments, in a statement from the Ukrainian army, the Ukrainian armed forces have been rehearsing to increase their ability to respond to a tank and infantry attack near the Crimea border on April 14. The drills come the day after US President Joe Biden phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia’s military build-up near eastern Ukraine and in Crimea.

On the Russian side, on April 14, the Russian navy began exercises in the Black Sea with exercises to fire targets on the ground and in the air. This exercise is to test combat readiness, readiness to react to threats from NATO. As planned, the rehearsal would end after 2 weeks.

Specifically, over the past several months, representatives of the US administration led by President Joe Biden have repeatedly threatened Russia that it will pay a “very high price” for the situation in the Donbass.

Moscow responded to Washington on warning of ‘it will cost money for the Donbass’. Illustrative image / Reporter

Before the above developments, Moscow gave an official response. Specifically, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Washington’s aforementioned statements are unacceptable. Russia will continue to defend the self-proclaimed republics of the Donbass, as well as the interests of its Russian-speaking residents, and threats from the other hemisphere of the planet will only convince Moscow of the correctness of the planet. my movement.

“They talked about a high price, but they never specified. What they have done so far, first we have done enough research, second we have adapted to this” …

Ryabkov noted with regret that the current Ukrainian authorities and their Western patrons have concluded that the field situation is not helping to become more positive.

In addition, Deputy Minister Ryabkov mentioned the fact that the military alliance of NATO, the United States and a number of other countries are deliberately promoting Kiev to confront the Russian Federation, assisting Ukraine in increasing military pressure. declaration in the East.

In related developments, the NATO Air Force has deployed more fighter jets to countries close to Ukraine as a readiness move for the worst case scenario.

Defense Minister of Ukraine Andrii Taran. Source: Anadolu

Speaking to the defense subcommittee of the European Parliament in Brussels, Minister Taran warned that Moscow could attack Ukraine to secure water supplies for the annexed Crimean peninsula.

Besides, Mr. Tahan said, does not rule out the possibility that Russian forces in Crimea could “carry out major military provocations” in 2021, but he did not provide immediate evidence for this hypothesis.

Regarding developments, on the same day, the SBU national security agency of Ukraine announced that it was conducting a large-scale “anti-terror” exercise in the Kherson region near Crimea. SBU’s announcement said units of the Ukrainian armed forces together with police and border guards participated in the exercise.

The announcement emphasized: “The key strategic targets of key infrastructure in the Kherson region are being tightly controlled … These are seaport areas, power supply facilities, airports, demand and gas production plants “.

Earlier, the Ukrainian military posted a video, on a rock music scene, showing the country’s tanks deployed in formation with soldiers loaded and fired for artillery during a pushback drill. the attack of tanks and infantry infiltrated the defensive area near the Crimea border.

The drill comes a day after US President Joe Biden telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russian troop reinforcement in Crimea and near eastern Ukraine, among other US concerns.

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On April 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden held a telegram to discuss the tensions in Ukraine, security issues and the importance of nuclear arms control. . The White House has also proposed holding a formal meeting “in a third country”.

In a statement on April 13, US officials confirmed that the two leaders of Russia and the US had talked about “a series of regional and international issues”.

Presidents Biden and Putin telephoned, but Russia-US relations are still difficult to escape tension. (Photo: RT)

Specifically, President Biden has “voiced concerns about unusual Russian military maneuvers” on the Crimean peninsula and along the Ukrainian border. Mr. Biden called on Moscow to take action “to cool down”.

The exchange between the Russian-US President comes at a time when the danger of conflict between the Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed militants inside the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine shows signs of pushing up into a total war. The move to mobilize large numbers of troops and weapons by the Kiev government has led Russia to also strengthen its military presence along the Ukrainian border.

Some Western countries accuse Moscow of planning to invade Ukraine, but Russian officials have repeatedly denied.

In a move intended to show support for Ukraine, Washington dispatched two warships to the Black Sea.

For its part, the Kremlin says the situation in Donbass is “extremely horrible”, and Russian diplomats have previously expressed concerns with their American counterparts.

But US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that Washington was worried about receiving “credible reports” about the movement of Russian troops near the border between Russia and Ukraine and called for “Russia. restraint to avoid escalating stress ”.

Over the past few months, the US-Russia relationship has deteriorated. Moscow even summoned the Russian ambassador to the country to conduct urgent discussions about the future of relations with Washington.

Specifically, the Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, returned home after in an interview President Biden called Putin a “murderer”. Mr. Biden’s comments have met with strong criticism from many Russian officials.

For his part, Putin used a maxim to disprove Mr. Biden’s claim. According to Mr. Putin, Mr. Biden is “breaking our belly to the stomach”.

“I remember that when we were kids, we played together on the field and used to say ‘belly-up’. It is not a joke or a kid’s sentence, this one has a profound psychological meaning. We always see our own qualities in others and think they really are like us, “Putin said.

According to Putin, the US is “determined” to build relations with Russia, but “only on matters that are beneficial to the US”.

Concluding a phone call between the two presidents on April 13, the US said that Biden’s goal was to build a “predictable and stable relationship with Russia in line with American interests”. In addition, the US also proposed to hold a summit in the next few months, to create an opportunity for the two leaders to “discuss the issues that Russia and the US are facing together”.

In a statement at the end of April 13, the Kremlin said President Biden “expressed a desire to normalize bilateral relations” and sought a consensus on arms control operations, chapter nuclear process, situation in Afghanistan and global climate change problem.

In the past, Russian President Putin met with Biden’s predecessor, former President Donald Trump, in Helsinki in 2018.

For now, Moscow is still skeptical of the White House wanting to hold a constructive dialogue.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “No one allows the US to talk to Russia in a strong position.” Instead, the two countries should treat each other fairly, Mr. Peskov said.

80,000 Russian soldiers in border areas

Ukrainian President Iuliia Mendel’s spokesman on April 12 said Russia sent more than 40,000 troops to Ukraine’s eastern border and another 40,000 to Crimea – which was declared Russian since 2014. “Van Our presidential room has asked to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin. We have not received an answer and hope that this is not a refusal to talk, “Ms. Iuliia Mendel told Interfax and added that the request for negotiations was sent on March 26, after when four Ukrainian soldiers were killed by bombardment in the East.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited troops in the eastern Donbass region on April 9, amid escalating tensions.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry asked Russia to end what it called “military rhetoric and misinformation.” In mid-April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Paris to speak with European leaders about Russia’s actions and the growing conflict in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskiyy is scheduled to meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan – an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he “has not seen any requests for the past few days”. Confirming that Russia’s military forces are free to move within the country as appropriate and that the movement of troops near the Ukrainian border and the exercises pose no threat, the Kremlin reiterated that Their support for the separatists is limited to political and humanitarian support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the army in the Donbass region east.

Last week, President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of “dangerous provocations” in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine and said Russian-Ukrainian political advisers were trying to organize a new round of talks. may take place in Normandy format – a multilateral dialogue involving French and German leaders. German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on April 12 also urged Moscow to announce its intentions in the region, saying that if Vladimir Putin’s government “has nothing to hide it can be easily explained. the reason why the army is moving “.

And Manfred Weber, a prominent member of the European Parliament, calls Russia’s military build-up a limited test of the West, warning that if the situation continues to escalate, Moscow will face off. with new sanctions.

Close to the risk of conflict

The fighting in eastern Ukraine had calmed down since July last year but has now heated up and has seen violence erupt. The question now is whether Russia’s beginning to gather troops along the Ukrainian border is a prelude to war? In fact, last year, Moscow and Kiev agreed to better enforce a prolonged ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, namely the Donetsk and Luhansk separatist regions.

However, President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy was unable to fulfill his promise while running for office. Violence in the Donbass began to increase in early February when Ukraine dispatched new forces and weapons to the border line; at the same time announced the joint exercise plan with NATO member countries in this country’s territory.

In this regard, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Ukraine’s membership in NATO could lead to a large-scale escalation in the separatist republics of southeastern Ukraine and cause cooperation. action is irreversible for Ukraine. According to the Russian side, Ukraine’s accession to NATO is just an illusion, because one of the principles for a country to join this organization is that there is no internal conflict, otherwise, it will turn NATO into a war party. . Russia also responded by increasing its border controls with Ukraine.

Soldiers of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) during a training exercise near Donetsk city in August 2020. Photo: EPA.

“Obviously, Ukraine wants to show its toughness to Russia, wants to resolve the internal conflict by means of strength. At the same time, if Ukraine joins NATO, Ukraine can expect the support of its allies to confront Russia directly in resolving disputes, ”commented AP firm.

In addition, with the new administration of the United States, President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy began to make decisions to allow Washington to participate more directly in the deadlock in the East. However, according to NATO officials, Russia is unlikely to escalate the problem for Ukraine because they are also worried about bogged down in a costly conflict without a clear exit strategy. , especially the conflict that has the potential to disappoint Western countries. Furthermore, the element of military intervention on behalf of Donetsk and Luhansk does not have the same political appeal to the Russian public as the conflicts in Georgia and Crimea were.

On the Ukraine side, observers also said that the country did not want to engage in a protracted war with its larger neighbor. “Kiev understands that if they take any offensive action against Russia, they risk losing the existing support of the West,” the Times article stated. Also according to the Times magazine, the current Russian – Ukraine tensions are also a challenge to NATO and a test for the US President Joe Biden administration.

President Volodymyr Zelensky during his latest visit to the frontline area in eastern Ukraine. Photo: Getty

Speaking to CNN reporters during a visit to the frontline area in the East on April 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “an invasion” from Russia was highly likely and that Ukraine was ready to face the challenge when it was a story related to the country’s territory.

The West has also officially voiced concerns about Russian military movement in the region bordering Ukriane. European Council spokesman Peter Stano said on April 12 that the European Union hoped there would be no escalation of tensions or conflict in eastern Ukraine, urging Russia to avoid steps that could increase tensions in the region. He also said the Ukraine issue would be on the agenda at the meeting of EU foreign ministers, scheduled to open next April 19.

For its part, Moscow insists that the movement of soldiers and weapons within Russian territory is normal, in order to ensure the security and territorial defense of Russia, not a threat to anyone. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on April 12 also reiterated the view that Russia needs to pay attention to the Russian-speaking ethnic community around the world in general and that need is increasingly urgent for communities in the two self-proclaimed donbass countries, who are also rejected by the Kiev authorities.

The war 10 sides expected: However, a large-scale clash in Eastern Ukraine is less likely, especially between Russia and Ukraine.

The Ukraine issue was a prominent factor in Mr Biden’s proposal to meet with President Putin at a phone call between the two leaders on April 13. Photo: CNN

On the Ukrainian side, the key issue lies in the that President Zelensky is losing credibility, political position. Many of the initiatives he outlined when he came to power were deadlocked. He also lost support within the ruling People’s People’s Party.

Many members of the party see, with recent steps – such as passing language laws, shuting down anti-Russian broadcasters, Mr. Zelensky is following the agenda of his predecessor Poroshenko. This means losing personal status, entering the next election with many unfavorable factors.

U.S. and Western backing is also a factor kiev must take into account. To date, the U.S. has expressed great support for Ukraine, but is in favor of claiming to be the main one. President Joe Biden pledged “backing first as one” to kiev authorities, including military aid. The White House also urged European allies, especially France and Germany, to stand side by side with Ukraine.

But the most desirable thing is that modern weapons and the prospect of NATO membership remain out of Kiev’s reach. Without both of these factors, Ukraine would not dare risk opening a war in Donbass, because it would be an act of suicide.

Ukrainian President Andriy Yermak made a blunt offer to the West, saying: “Ukraine is the anti-Russian frontline of the West. But look, where does the U.S. deploy the Patriot missile defense system? The closest point is Poland. Such systems need to appear in Ukraine”. Ukraine has so far not received missiles, modern weapons capable of repelling enemy air attacks.

Mr Zelensky in a phone call with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on April 6 again asked the military alliance to give a clear roadmap for Ukraine to join NATO. He insisted full membership would be the decisive factor in ending the war in Donbass. In response, NATO argued that Kiev must first focus on domestic reforms and develop its defense potential in a way that is in close proximity to the bloc’s standards, which in the end will be considered.

For Russia, the move to close ukraine’s borders is a way for Moscow to move its message to the West, which is not necessarily a warm-up for a new conflict with Kiev. According to Michael Kofman, Director of the Research Division on Russia at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Russia deliberately publicly moved its troops, in order for Ukraine and the West to recognize it. Russia’s primary purpose is to pressure Kiev and some Western allies as progress on implementing the Minsk II ceasefire agreement is intended and in line with its interests.ch of Moscow.

The Ukrainian leadership is also in the ting of this evaluation trend. President Zelensky sees Russia’s actions as a test against the West. What Moscow wants is to “escalate tensions” to the threshold enough for the U.S. and NATO to step down in favor of Kiev, hesitating to recognize Ukraine as a real partner.

Military pressure is a step for Moscow to establish its influence in Ukraine as it wishes. Russia did so after noticing that hopes for current construction in Ukraine through political measures were gone, with decisions by Mr Zelensky’s administration on sanctioning elements, the anti-Russian political force, shut down Russian-language broadcast TV channels. It means that the scenario of a leader, the russian party is unlikely to be in power in Kiev in the near future – something that lies in Moscow’s long-term calculations.

President Zelensky’s administration did not want to risk escalating the war in Donbass, because the consequences were too great. Mr Putin may still decide to launch a total force offensive, which is that Ukraine is almost incapable of resisting and that it is “really scary,” as the Kiev leader himself admits. But on the public side, Mr. Zelensky is not allowed to reveal it.

As the purpose of the parties gradually reveals, statements or military moves can be just a cover, a way to create pressure and public opinion to be able to reach the negotiating table with the greatest advantage.