As tensions rise ahead of Friday’s crunch talks between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the Ukraine crisis, memories of the Russian army swiftly overpowering the Ukrainian military during the 2014 Crimean annexation have resurfaced. But Ukraine has significantly improved its defence capabilities – with more than a little help from NATO countries.
With US President Joe Biden on Thursday making it “absolutely clear” that any entry of Russian troops into Ukraine is “an invasion”, Washington has kept up the pressure, warning Moscow of a “severe” response.
