What is Vladimir Putin (69) really up to in Ukraine?
The Russian leader answered this question himself early Tuesday evening: He has issues some ridiculous and extreme ultimatums that are nearly impossible to execute.
Here are his ultimatums to the government of Ukraine:
1. Ukraine should officially recognize Crimea, occupied since 2014, as part of Russia.
2. Ukraine should take a neutral stand AND: never become a NATO member.3. parts of Ukraine should be “demilitarized to some degree”.
And further: The “Minsk Agreement”, which was supposed to ensure de-escalation and pacification in eastern Ukraine, had failed with its recognition of the “People’s Republics” Donetsk and Luhansk.
Putin said in Moscow: “The Minsk Agreement no longer exists”, therefore Russia does not have to fulfill any condition of the treaty.
In plain language, this means that the path to war is clear.
In addition, Putin made clear Tuesday that he recognizes the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” as understood by the leaders there – which, according to him, includes Ukrainian-controlled areas.
MEANS: Russia recognizes not only the territories that are currently Russian-controlled, but also the territories held by Ukrainian forces. Putin is thus seeking, as already feared, the further seizure of areas of Ukraine.
In addition, Putin made clear Tuesday that he recognizes the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” as understood by the leaders there – which, according to him, includes Ukrainian-controlled areas.
MEANS: Russia recognizes not only the territories that are currently Russian-controlled, but also the territories held by Ukrainian forces. Putin is thus seeking, as already feared, the further seizure of areas of Ukraine.
When asked what tasks Russian troops should take on in the separatist areas, he remained vague: This would depend on the situation on the ground. It was impossible to predict what exactly the military deployment would be, he said.
The friendship treaty signed Monday with the “people’s republics” concedes Russia the right to establish military bases in the area.
Putin again accuses Ukraine of breaking the Minsk agreement.
With a delusional speech on Monday evening, Putin had already set all the signs for war – he called Ukraine a “U.S. colony,” a “puppet regime,” and denied that it had its own state tradition.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (71) followed suit on Tuesday – and removed all doubts. Putin apparently has his sights set on the whole of Ukraine!
According to the Russian agency Interfax, the Putin confidant stated, “Ukraine has no right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. His reasoning: “I don’t think anyone can claim that the Ukrainian regime represents all the people living on the territory of the Ukrainian state since the 2014 coup.”
As a reminder, in 2014 it was Russia that split Ukraine, that annexed Crimea in violation of international law, that installed Putin stooges in eastern Ukraine.
NATO general warns of “large-scale attack
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (62) has again warned against a “large-scale attack” by Russia on Ukraine.
He said that Putin’s recognition of the separatist areas in the Donbass did not take this plan off the table. “All signs indicate that Russia continues to plan a full-scale attack on Ukraine.”
He added that the Moscow government is continuously urged to de-escalate. “It is never too late not to attack.”
Stoltenberg stressed that Russia has well over 150,000 troops on the ground, all of which are ready for combat – “More and more troops are coming out of their camps.”
Impossible ultimatums? Like stick the minsk accords the ukraine signed and zelensky promised he would do? Like, stop nazism? Like stop the nazis’s vow to kill every ukrainian of russian heritage? These are impossible ultimatums? Really?