Hybrid CoE Strategic Analysis 31: Russia’s military buildup along Ukraine’s border: What to expect?

Given Russia’s force posture along Ukraine’s border, the possibility of warfare has to be taken seriously. Nevertheless, Western states should take a more comprehensive view with regard to Russia’s toolkit for compellence. Focussing on the military buildup might be exactly what the Kremlin intends – drawing attention to the obvious, while the deployment may not be aimed at intervention as the primary aim, but at confusing and destabilizing, argues Margarete Klein from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in this Hybrid CoE Strategic Analysis.