month? boy, that is a terrific question. first of all, i think in the long run it is good news. nato has been revitalized. there is a potential for sweden and finland to join the alliance. they had zero military capability. i think in very short order they ll be the principal ground combat power in europe. so, from putin s perspective, the longer run from is a disaster for him. the other questions that remain are the degree to which the economic sanctions and being a pariah state will effect the people of russia. which ambassador mcfaul has spoken to before. it is quite clear to me that in the long-term, russia s military capability will be severely did he graded by economic sanctions. again, a disaster for putin. in the short run, however, i
scenario? they can. i wouldn t necessarily describe the earlier phases of this war as insurgency but a masterful use of small unit tactics. this platoon raids that ukrainians were using to punish supply lines, ambush armored vehicle convoys and things of that nature. this will be a drawn-out battle, much like we have seen unfolding at least in the urban centers like we have seen in mariupol. it will be a tough slog. they are putting up valiant fights against russian formations, what seemed like overwhelming number. that is what is going to play out in this region. they are trying to concentrate forces, ground combat power, artillery, air power, to oppress and destroy ukrainian forces but the offensives to the north have
most of the front pages report on the growing tensions between russia and ukraine described as very, very dangerous by borisjohnson. the paper says british officials estimate a further 1a russian battalions are heading towards ukraine, each with around 800 troops. last ditch efforts to stop war in europe is the i newspaper s headline. it reports that residents of the ukrainian capital of kyiv are preparing an air raid shelter but russia suggests that diplomacy and dialogue is still possible. the times carries the prime minister s comments that diplomacy can still save ukraine . the paper includes a striking image of russian forces on exercises in the northwest of the country yesterday. it reports that 60% of russia s ground combat power is believed to be within striking distance of ukraine. and away from ukraine, many of today s front pages feature
of the pullback. the us ambassador to the un said. it s estimated that more than 60% of russia s ground combat power is currently at the border. satellite pictures like these have shown a dramatic increase over the past few months. and we also know large scale military drills are continuing. these pictures are from crimea the region russia annexed from ukraine in 2014. this is the assessment of the uk prime minister. we are seeing russian open to conversation. on the other hand the intelligence we are seeing today is still not encouraging. we ve got russian field hospitals being constructed near the border with ukraine and belarus, only can be construed as preparation for an invasion. you ve got more protective
get what vladimir putin wanted but invasion wasn t necessarily real. on sunday i asked if putin would invade and you said blunt live bluntly. talk to me about diplomacy and a deescalation which we have seen none of. well, clearly the facts on the ground have not changed substantially. russia has put 60% of their ground combat power in and around the south and maritime potential attack. they have half their air power deployed. they brought forces from all over the giant russian federation. i was watching video purporting to show the withdrawal. those trains were half loaded. there s no reason to think that the reality on the ground has yet changed.