The New Cold War: Populist game or modern reality?

Russian annexation of Crimea has significantly changed the security on the European continent. In result, relations between the West and the Russian Federation were also subject to a drastic shift. Following the war in Eastern Ukraine, MH17 tragedy, Russian military trainings close to NATO borders and constant violation of the Alliance’s airspace, one cannot but notice the newly shaped reality, which differs from the perceived peace after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Although the conflict in Syria proves that Russia should be counted with while fighting international terrorism, the Western democracies are not eager to lift the sanctions imposed on Russia after its aggression against Ukraine. On the other hand, NATO increases its presence in Eastern Europe and performs its military trainings with Ukraine close to the Russian border. With all these events, can we already talk about the new cold war or is it only a term used by populist politicians to scary ordinary people?