With pro-Russian forces occupying the Crimean peninsula and the Russian navy blockading Ukrainian ships in the area, the Ukrainian crisis continues to escalate despite diplomatic conversations between the West and Russia. As diplomacy continues to drag, both sides have made moves that show their strength, but it may not work in the long run.

In response to Russia's actions and the initial failures of diplomacy, President Obama proposed sanctions against Russia on Thursday. According to Reuters, Russia says that any U.S. "sanctions ... would inevitably hit the United States like a boomerang."

Russia continues to state that it's in Crimea to protect the Russian majority.

"Russia cannot ignore calls for help and it acts accordingly, in full compliance with international law," Russian President Putin said.

Yet tensions continue on the peninsula.

Reuters reports that Friday evening, a truck full of armed men drove to a missile defense station outside Sebastopol, which led to a standoff. According to a Ukrainian military aide, Russia now has 30,000 troops in Crimea. Putin denies the involvement of Russian troops, but a lot of evidence points to the contrary.

According to the BBC, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has pushed for dialogue to be based on the Feb. 21 agreement between the deposed Yanukovych government and the opposition, which called for a unity government and early elections. Lavrov said that the new government is dependent on the far right segments of the country. In turn, the pro-West government does not recognize the new Crimean government.

But Russia may be overplaying the influence of the right wing in Ukrainian politics. Though the leader of Ukraine's far-right Pravy Sektor coalition, Dmytro Yarosh, is planning to run for president, chances of him winning are slim, according to the Daily Beast. Though they played an aggressive role in the revolution, not many in the country follow the right wing party. According to opposition politician Lesya Orobets said,

"They were a small element in the revolution, although significant, and they were brave enough to do what others wouldn't," Lesya Orobets, opposing politician, said. "But I don't see much room for their radicalism now in democratic politics. Ukrainians are tolerant. Right Sector will have some small support if it develops as a political party, maybe five to seven percent of the vote. I don't see a big political future for them."

In the meantime, military tensions increase.

The U.S Navy has sent the destroyer USS Truxtun to the Black Sea to replace the smaller frigate USS Taylor and Turkey has flown jets across its Black Sea coast, according to Reuters. If needed, Yarosh has pledged his far-right followers will go to Crimea and fight for Ukrainian unity. Meanwhile, a referendum will be held on March 16 to decide whether Crimea should join Russia. The vote has been called illegal by both the Ukrainian government and the United States.

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