Every other day, it seems, the Biden administration issues a warning that a Russian invasion of the Ukraine could happen at any time. They are not exactly being untruthful — Russia does have about 130,000 troops massed along the Ukraine border, and we doubt they are there for R&R.

Every time the warning is issued, the Kremlin repeats that it has no intention of invading, that it is willing to talk. It seeks to get some more security promises from the West about not letting former socialist republics into NATO, limiting missile placements in Europe and stepping down the military drills that erode Vladimir Putin’s confidence.

Then it sends a few thousand more troops to the border.

In the Ukraine, citizens are described as “calm” and ready to defend their homeland against the Russian threat. But we imagine it would be difficult for them to remain calm as they conduct defense drills, and check the signs for the nearest bomb shelter.

Putin could be waging a war of nerves with the West. But it is obvious he wants to expand Russia’s scope by reattaching the satellite states of the old USSR. It may be a war of nerves now, but it could be a very real one very soon.