With increasing signs of Putin’s Russia dragging its feet on the US proposed ceasefire one wonders if this is a case of brinkmanship or deliberate folly. Having rejected Trump’s proposed 30-day ceasefire and making a frankly unattainable counter-offer, Putin has now set in motion the biggest call-up yet of Russian conscripts (and I would not put too much store in his promise that they will not be sent to Ukraine).
While he’s still taking tough, things don’t look great on the military or economic fronts for Putin. On the battlefield the Russians have resorted to still more extreme cannon-fodder tactics with some thrusts being led, Mad Max style, in converted cars and trucks. Ukrainian attacks have struck airfields far into Russia destroying some very modern and expensive aircraft and air defence missile systems. Add to these the mysterious attacks in Moscow itself, including the destruction of a presidential limousine, and it is clear that either there is a capable Ukrainian sabotage and special-ops network in place or disgruntled Russians are now out to rid themselves of their President.
Meanwhile Putin’s international allies remain present but increasingly preoccupied with their own problems. China’s focus is on Taiwan and its scuffles with the Philippines. Lukashenko is clinging to power in Belarus by his teeth, with his army fully committed to his personal defence since the stolen election of 2020 and his sham victory in January this year. The North Koreans have disappointed on the battlefield and an increasingly desperate Iranian regime is even talking of attacking the UK/US base in Diego Garcia as it faces a looming attack on its nuclear programme by Israel or the US or both.
With increasing signs of Putin’s Russia dragging its feet on the US proposed ceasefire one wonders if this is a case of brinkmanship or deliberate folly. Having rejected Trump’s proposed 30-day ceasefire and making a frankly unattainable counter-offer, Putin has now set in motion the biggest call-up yet of Russian conscripts (and I would not put too much store in his promise that they will not be sent to Ukraine).
While he’s still taking tough, things don’t look great on the military or economic fronts for Putin. On the battlefield the Russians have resorted to still more extreme cannon-fodder tactics with some thrusts being led, Mad Max style, in converted cars and trucks. Ukrainian attacks have struck airfields far into Russia destroying some very modern and expensive aircraft and air defence missile systems. Add to these the mysterious attacks in Moscow itself, including the destruction of a presidential limousine, and it is clear that either there is a capable Ukrainian sabotage and special-ops network in place or disgruntled Russians are now out to rid themselves of their President.
Meanwhile Putin’s international allies remain present but increasingly preoccupied with their own problems. China’s focus is on Taiwan and its scuffles with the Philippines. Lukashenko is clinging to power in Belarus by his teeth, with his army fully committed to his personal defence since the stolen election of 2020 and his sham victory in January this year. The North Koreans have disappointed on the battlefield and an increasingly desperate Iranian regime is even talking of attacking the UK/US base in Diego Garcia as it faces a looming attack on its nuclear programme by Israel or the US or both.