The Ukraine crisis should be taken seriously as it could have far-reaching consequences. Analysts have even stated that an invasion of the Eastern European country could lead to full-drawn war in the region.
Russia had amassed thousands of troops near its border with Ukraine but has denied plans to invade. It instead want guarantees from Western countries to never allow Ukraine become a member of NATO. The United States is not taking any chances and has revived military plans to prepare for all possible scenarios by deploying 8,500 troops. President Biden has even hinted at imposing sanctions personally on Putin in case of an invasion.
European countries have been holding diplomatic talks since weeks but still cannot decipher how to deal with the crisis. Europe still receives 40 percent of gas supply from Russia and a war would disrupt supply and cause shortages. In case of a Russian incursion, European nations would have no option but to look from the sidelines rather than deploying forces to assist the non-NATO ally.
President Putin, widely regarded as one of the most influential men, still harbours expansionist policies. Russia annexed Crimea nearly eight years ago and has backed separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine. The former Soviet Republic has become a flashpoint in potentially the most dangerous confrontation since the Cold War.
The Ukraine crisis is not just confined to the region but can have far-reaching effects. Oil prices are gradually rising on concerns supplies could become tight to the Ukraine-Russia tension. Energy firms are unsure how the situation will unfold even though US has instructed them to divert supply routes. The geopolitical tensions along from the situation in the Middle East can also upend economic recovery.
Many experts have compared the likely scenario of a full-drawn Ukraine invasion to the Nazi takeover of Poland which led to World War II. The consequences of such a scenario could be devastating for global peace. The only crisis remains to defuse the crisis diplomatically before it spills over.
