Even if Ukraine manages to fight on in the present conflict, Russian forces will not simply give up and go home. Outright victory for Ukraine is not on the cards either.
It is hard to know what went on in Putin s mind. But the past two weeks have shown that he has planned his war according to KGB rules rather than classical military strategy. He has relied on massive and indiscriminate use of force, and where Gerasimov
China is positioning to play peacekeeper in the Ukraine War, after first refusing to acknowledge the invasion. The situation has strategic consequences.
President Vladimir Putin’s announcement Sunday that he was ordering Russian nuclear deterrent forces “on the highest alert” came less than two months ago Russia signed – and claimed credit for coordinating – a joint statement by the five recognized nuclear-armed powers, pledging to prevent a nuclear war.
A senior Pentagon official on Sunday described as both unnecessary and escalatory Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to order Russian nuclear deterrent forces “on the highest alert” in response to what he called “aggressive” statements from leading NATO members.