Russian War Threat Escalating

Russia is again increasing the number of troops and military on the border with Ukraine. With its mercenaries and troops already waging war inside Ukraine, this latest escalation is causing concern in Kyiv and other world capitals.

Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, on Tuesday warned the risk of invasion by Russia into Ukraine has intensified. “We have reasons to believe that the threat of a direct intervention is certainly bigger than a few days ago,” Tusk said, citing intelligence received in recent hours, at a press conference.

Tusk added the West doesn’t have a clear answer ready if Russian forces do enter the country. He was quoting as replying to his own observation by saying that he would react the same way if he was confronted by a rabid dog.

Russia has massed around 20,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine's border and could use the pretext of a humanitarian mission to invade, NATO confirmed on Wednesday, expressing its starkest warning yet that Moscow could soon mount a ground assault against Ukraine.

“We’re not going to guess what’s on Russia’s mind, but we can see what Russia is doing on the ground – and that is of great concern. Russia has amassed around 20,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine’s eastern border,” NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in an emailed statement. Russia could use “the pretext of a humanitarian or peace-keeping mission as an excuse to send troops into Eastern Ukraine,” she said.

In the wake of this escalation, US officials joined the chorus of governments warning Russia not to proceed.

The threat of an incursion is “reality,” US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters in Germany on Wednesday.

“It’s a reality, of course it is,” Hagel said at the headquarters of the US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. “When you see the buildup of these troops, the sophistication and training of these troops, the heavy military equipment that’s being put on the border, of course it’s a reality and it’s a possibility.”

The current Russian troop build-up on the border is not the first time Russia has sent forces there. NATO estimated Russia had as many as 40,000 troops in place in the spring before Putin pulled them back in June.

So why is the world waiting? The US and Ukraine’s allies must not let their attention divert from this danger. Even one step across the border by Russian forces must be met with universal retribution and condemnation.