Ukraine announces joint military exercises with NATO, pushing tensions with Russia to dangerous levels

The exercise will involve more than 1,000 servicemen from at least five NATO member states. The units will practice defensive actions and then conduct a simulated attack to restore borders and territorial integrity in the event of a neighbor's attack. The exact date of the exercise has not been announced. Ukraine's latest move comes after it received support from the United States in its tensions with Russia.

“We have the long-term and full support of our international partners, including Europe and the United States,” said President Zelensky. “Most recently, during my conversation with US President Joe Biden (April 3), we discussed the specific situation in Donbass. The US President assured me that Ukraine will never be left alone in the face of Russian aggression.”

Russia has previously warned that it would take measures to ensure national security in the event of NATO deploying troops to Ukraine. Meanwhile, military tensions in eastern Ukraine are also on the rise. There are reports that the Ukrainian army is preparing for a military operation in the territories controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, there are also concerns about increased Russian military activity in the Ukrainian border area, although Russia insists that these are only defensive measures.

Assessing the latest moves by the Ukrainian army, a leader in Donbass said: “All the current actions show that the army is preparing for a major war. From our side, we are also 100% ready if tensions escalate.”

Obviously, a war with devastating consequences is something no one wants, but there are many real risks. Ukraine currently has the conditions to be able to implement its strategy in Donbass with the support of the US and the European Union. Meanwhile, if war breaks out, Russia will find it difficult to sit still with the assertion that it will protect the residents of Donbass from all threats.

Despite the preparations and stern warnings aimed at each other, it is clear that both Russia and Ukraine are still open to dialogue and pushing for a diplomatic solution. With Russia facing pressure from the West and Ukraine facing economic difficulties, a war would be very costly for both sides. Importantly, if a conflict occurs, it would involve many other countries, with the possibility of NATO joining the fight.

Therefore, reconciliation efforts, especially through the “Normandy Four” group (including France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine) are expected to help cool down the situation soon. France and Germany - the mediators of the Russia-Ukraine conflict - also issued a statement calling on all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire agreement that has been reached, as a premise for upcoming dialogues./.