It's all about influence really. Aid and loans can be as well. TBH I don't think war between major countries is possible any more due to all of the button around that are connected to nukes. They would have to agree to not use them if one wants to conquer another. This is why countries aspire to have them.
Belarus is part of the Russian NATO, What better time to exercise it. It sounds like enough troops and gear is around with these included to start an invasion now. Israel is holding exercises in the occupied west bank. NATO hold them periodically. All do.
TBH I wonder if some of the things that are going relate to an intransigent Ukrainian president because some of the things the west are doing isn't doing him any good at all. If that is the case and it results in a solution you can bet we will hear things that suite a narrative based on where we live.
Our minister of defence must have read my post. He's pointed out that the Russians could do a lot without putting a foot in the Ukraine. Miles from it in fact.
Afraid I watch Alj news now and again when interesting things are going on. Today is showed the Ukraine leader screaming don't panic especially now expats have been asked to go home. Also a smaller we will fight demo in Kiev. 100's also them putting police through new intensive training. I have suspected that the real problem is wider than just Donbas going on where various fightings have been going on. A civil war maybe. Alj - I see them as being fairly flat with their news but would wonder a bit when Israel is concerned and certain other news areas. Also sounds like the French police may be getting the tear gas out again. Covid demo's joined by the usual loonies. Canada having that problem too and the USA says they are preparing for similar problems. All of our artics are trying tp get into Dover so might be difficult to block the MI or what ever. The loonies that join in always make things worse.
What I would agree with that russia is out to destabilise the country but the UK's clown and the old guy in the usa are doing a better job than the Mrs Putin. 80% of people in Dombas are pro-russia
dont forget that there have been 100k plus russian troops on the borders since the walk-in to the Crimera.
Thankfully there will be no mass war as Ukraine has seen through the uk and usa.