The Economist wrote an article about Putin’s chances of winning the war and that the West, due to a lack of strategic vision, is not doing enough to stop him.
Source: “The Economist”
Details: The publication writes that the reason that Putin’s victory in the war is possible is that now neither side is able to expel the other from the controlled territories. The Ukrainian counteroffensive has stopped. In the battles for Avdievka, Russia loses more than 900 people every day and such a “war of defense” could take many years.
Literally: “The West could do much more to frustrate Putin. If he made up his mind, he could deploy the industrial and financial resources that overshadow Russia’s. However, fatalism, complacency and a shocking lack of strategic vision get in the way, especially in Europe. As for its own sake, and for the sake of Ukraine, the West must urgently get rid of lethargy.”
Details: Russia’s superiority is explained by its foreign support, as it receives drones from Iran and missiles from North Korea; Türkiye and Kazakhstan have become conduits for goods feeding the Russian war machine. The Western scheme to limit Russian oil revenues also failed.
Inside Russia, as The Economist writes, people have become accustomed to war, the so-called elite has increased control over the economy, and Putin can afford to pay lifetime salaries to the families of those fighting and dying.
Literally: “Given all this, it is not surprising that the mood in Kiev is becoming darker. Politics are back, people are fighting for influence. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny have fallen out. Internal polls show that corruption scandals and worries about the future of Ukraine have undermined Mr Zelensky’s authority among voters.”
Details: The publication also notes: “If Donald Trump, who promised peace in the near future, is elected president, the United States may stop supplying weapons.” However, no matter who is in the White House, Europe should prepare for a slowdown in American aid.
The publication also writes that there is no point in simply hoping that Putin’s regime will fall due to forced mobilization, inflation and military spending, because “He can remain in power for years.”
Therefore, “Europe must view Putin as the main long-term threat to its security. Russia will rearm. It will have combat experience. Europe’s defense planning should be designed so that Putin does not sense weakness on its flanks. Especially if there are doubts about President Trump’s willingness to fight in the event of attack on a NATO country.”
And the best way to contain Putin is for Europe to demonstrate its resolve and provide air defense to Ukraine and long-range missiles to attack Russian supply lines.
Otherwise, according to journalists, Putin looks capable of winning for the first time since February 24, 2022, and his greatest advantage is Europe’s lack of strategic vision.
2023-11-30 21:30:14
#West #stop #Putin
