Some in Russia have suggested that the Sea of Azov Incident was provoked by the Ukrainian leadership in Kiev ahead of that country's presidential elections. And critics at home of President Petro Poroshenko's government say the president may have precipitated the crisis to shake up his low approval ratings to narrow the lead of opposition front-runner Yulia Tymoshenko. There are also concerns that Poroshenko's declaration of martial law is designed to boost his re-election campaign. CGTN's Aljosa Milenkovic reports from Kiev.  

Every year, as New Year's celebrations approach, this shop in Kiev's city center, shines and sparkles, luring thousands of customers. It is part of chocolatiering empire founded by the incumbent president: Petro Poroshenko.

Just next to the shop stands a billboard for one of his main rivals. It reads: 'President, servant to the people - soon.'

It's a small taste of the bitterness that has pervaded Ukraine's election campaign.

President Poroshenko is fighting low opinion polls by putting forward to his voters the dreams of EU and NATO memberships.

PETRO POROSHENKO UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT "In a situation, where 70% of Ukrainians support moving towards European Union membership and 54% support joining NATO, I initiated amendments to the constitution. It will be the obligation of the parliament, the obligation of the government and also the obligation of the president - to lead Ukraine towards the European Union."

While Poroshenko struggles with low ratings, the political bloc of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has organized a Social Forum on the outskirts of Kiev.

Some three thousand people have gathered to discuss the future of the country.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC KIEV "Despite this forum having been officially branded as independent from any political party, it is really hard not to see it as an election rally for one of the candidates. It is Yulia Tymoshenko that took the spotlight here as maybe the front runner in the presidential race."

She too is trying to attract voters with the promises of better future and also with strong criticism of Poroshenko's leadership.

YULIA TYMOSHENKO OPPOSITION LEADER "Our country is at war. Our industrial and economic resources are completely depleted. We are among the ten poorest countries in Europe, the whole system of power is shrouded by a web of corruption. Government debt has reached a record limit."

Stuck between these two powerful political forces are ordinary voters, many of whom took to the streets of Kiev 5 years ago to protest the previous leadership. 29-year-old Maxim Mazur is one of them. He was here at the Maidan square back in 2013. He also volunteered in combat units fighting rebels in the East of the country in the following year.

MAXIM MAZUR KIEV RESIDENT "You know, we had slightly different expectations. We expected to have a civil society, for reforms to be done immediately. It is possible that those expectations were too idealistic. Of course we were then euphoric because we won. And we thought it would be impossible for what happened before to be repeated: corruption and the revenge of the pro-Russian forces."

On March 31, 2019, Maxim will vote for president Poroshenko, because of his anti-Russian stance and his building up the Ukrainian army. But judging by the current opinion polls, it seems highly unlikely that Maxim will have much to celebrate once the results come out.

Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Kiev.