"Only one person knows what will happen and this man is in the Kremlin," Ukrainian independent journalist Olga Tokryuk states in an interview with Israel Today from Kiev, "but previous moves by Putin and Russia show he hates to do something the moment everyone expects it," she added. .
Recall, at the end of President Putin's meeting with German Chancellor Schultz, he said that his country did not want a war and that it had been decided to withdraw some of the forces.
According to Tokryuk, Putin would rather prefer to surprise the world and act only when no one is interested in what is happening at the border, although provocation by pro-Russian elements in Ukraine is still possible this week.
"I think because everyone has already announced that the invasion will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) and because everyone is expecting it, even if they did plan to act on that date, the Russians probably will not do it. Because usually Russia acts when it can surprise, when attention is diverted elsewhere. I think the probability of something happening tonight is not very high. "
When it comes to daily routine in Ukraine, do you feel anything different?
"There has been a growing sense of distress, especially since Friday when Americans said something would happen this week and that Kiev would fall within 48 hours. But in general it is hard to notice that people do not start stockpiling food and start buying fuel and behave differently, so for most people life goes on as usual "We go to school, to work," she says.
Tokryuk points out that many of Putin's allies in the Ukrainian parliament, who are supposed to help him overthrow the regime if and when there is an invasion, have already fled outside the country - to Western countries.
"For some people, especially the very rich, including MPs from pro-Russian parties - they have already left Ukraine, especially to the West, so even those who want closer relations with Russia, in Putin's so-called powerlessness in Ukraine, in the moment of truth they chose to flee to the West. And not to Russia. "
"Anyway for most of the people here nothing has changed, although there are people, especially those with children, who have temporarily moved their residence to the western part of Ukraine until the rage passes and they can see what will happen this week."
"Many of Putin's allies have fled Ukraine to the West," Tokryuk said.
If a war breaks out this week, as a Ukrainian, what do you want the world or Israel to do?
"In fact, the war has been going on since 2014 (between the pro-Russian separatists and the government), although to a limited extent, as far as one can say something about a war that has already claimed the lives of 14,000 people. It is not a small number. It could have been worse and hopefully not It will come to that, but I still do not believe that Russia will carry out a full invasion or something that everyone is expecting. ".
"What can the world do if Russia attacks? I think first of all everyone should understand that even if the attack is carried out by pro-Russian militias, or if Russia recognizes the separatist areas and acts to supposedly defend them, it should be clear to everyone that this is Russia's own mission. "In the separatist regions and in Belarus controlled by the Kremlin, there is no ambiguity in this matter, and sanctions should be imposed if that happens, even if Russia attacks through its envoys indirectly."
Satellite image of Russian military forces deployed near Belarus's border with Ukraine, Photo: AP
"Secondly, the world needs to support Ukraine, for example by sending more military aid, more financial aid, thus enabling it to upgrade its capabilities to defend itself, because we know other countries will not send their troops to fight for us, but at least they can support Ukraine And to take a tough stance in condemning Russia and charging a very heavy price from Russia if it attacks Ukraine. . "
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