Ukraine crisis: What are military options if Russia invades, experts say full-blown conflict unlikely

Russia has deployed 1,00,000 troops at the border with Ukraine. But are Ukraine, the US and Nato prepared for conflict should Moscow decide to invade the erstwhile Soviet state?

Hectic parleys, hard negotiations, backroom diplomacy, every possible avenue is being explored in order to quell tensions at the Ukraine-Russia border. Experts believe that a full-scale conflict between the two sides is unlikely.

But, with 1,00,000 troops amassed on the Russian side, are Ukraine, the US and Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) prepared for conflict should Moscow decide to invade the erstwhile Soviet state?

While the US has responded to the Russian proposal which "sets out a serious diplomatic path forward should Russia choose it", it refused to contemplate ruling out the possibility of future Ukrainian membership in Nato, as President Vladimir Putin of Russia has demanded, although President Joe Biden and other US officials have said there is little possibility that Ukraine could join the military alliance anytime soon.

READ: As tensions rise on Ukraine's border with Russia, here's all that you need to know

"We make clear that there are core principles that we are committed to uphold and defend, including Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the right of states to choose their own security arrangements and alliances," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

With Russia's core concern remaining unaddressed, military mobilisation continues and villages near the border have been asked to evacuate by the Ukrainian side.

According to Global Firepower 2021, the Russian strength is way more than Ukraine and therefore, the need to strengthen Kiev through support from Nato.