Tensions between Russia and the West are climbing over concerns that Moscow is attempting to escalate its conflict with Ukraine. Al Jazeera reports that NATO’s Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, has accused Russia of having moved “thousands of combat-ready troops to Ukraine’s borders”.

Stoltenberg urged Russia against the “unjustified” and “largest massing of Russian troops”. He said that the troop deployment was “deeply concerning”. He added, “Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately,”

Meanwhile, Moscow on Tuesday accused NATO and in particular, its leading member, the United States, of turning the Ukraine into a “powder keg” by increasing its supply of arms. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Rybakov said that Moscow would do everything possible to ensure its security, should there be an escalation in the Donbas conflict.

Meanwhile, two US warships were due to arrive in the Black Sea this week, regarding which  Ryabkov said, “There is absolutely nothing for American ships to be doing near our shores, this is purely a provocative action. Provocative in the direct sense of the word: they are testing our strength, playing on our nerves. They will not succeed,”

Ukrainian government troops have battled Russian-backed ‘separatists’ in the country’s eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, since 2014, when ‘rebels’ seized large areas of territory. Al Jazeera reports that sporadic clashes had never ceased, despite a 2015 ceasefire agreement.

Kyiv, meanwhile, has accused the Kremlin of ignoring its calls for dialogue over the Russian military build-up. Ukraine is an ally of NATO, but not a member. According to Al Jazeera, however, Ukraine wants the full backing of NATO, believing that Russia would be forced to stand down and cease threats to its sovereignty.

Umm Muhammed Umar