Explained: Ukraine crisis - What Russia demands and what is US response

US and Russia are standing eye to eye over Ukraine for several months with none ready to blink. While the big boys are talking and sparring, people are nervous.

As the spectre of a Russia Vs the West war looms, here's all you need to know about the Ukraine crisis.

First the geography:

Ukraine sits sandwiched between Russia on one side, Belarus to the north, and the rest of Europe on the other side.

Its location has made the former Soviet republic a frontline for big Russia Vs the West battle.

What is the issue?

The US and the West fear Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine.

Russia has amassed over a lakh soldiers on its border with Ukraine

Reports say that Russia has deployed tanks, missiles, and heavy artillery

Why?

Putin demands that the West pledge never to let Ukraine join NATO and also to stop eastward expansion of the military alliance

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A demand that has been flatly rejected by the West.

What has also ringed alarm bells in the West is that Russia has sent an unspecified number of troops from the country’s far east to its ally Belarus, which also shares a border with Ukraine, for major war games next month.

Now, a look at Russia-Ukraine history to understand the present.

Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union before its collapse. And Russia still wants to play big brother not ready to let Kyiv tilt Westwards.

Frictions started in 2013 when Pro Russia Ukraine govt signed a deal with Moscow, which led to massive protests in Ukraine over perceived surrender to Russia.

The Pro-Russia government was kicked out after months of protests and a new government signed a deal with EU.

Hitting back, in 2014, Putin sent troops into Crimea, a peninsula that has been part of Ukraine since the 1950s.

Russia annexed Crimea amid howls and protest from Ukraine and West.

Russia has also been accused of aiding the separatist rebels in Eastern Ukraine with troops and weapons.

Ukraine has all along got military and monetary support from NATO and West. Obviously, Putin doesn't like it. And wants to stop Ukraine from joining NATO or EU.

NATO is a military alliance formed by the Western countries after World War II to band together against Soviet Union.

What is the current state of play?

US and EU have threatened tough sanctions against Russia if Putin invades Ukraine.

US and Russia have held several rounds of talks but to no avail.

Biden and Putin have spoken too, but have found no common ground yet

While the big boys are refusing to budge, Ukrainians are living in fear