On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared electoral victory in so-called “referendums” in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya.
This means that Russia considers Russian regions and armed conflicts in these areas will turn into warfare over what Russia considers to be their territory.
Putin’s illegal annexation of the four regions of eastern and southern Ukraine marks the beginning of a new and very dangerous phase of the war, say experts, who now fear nuclear weapons will be used for the first time in 77 years. He writes Washington Post.
– It gives the Russians a bigger dilemma
– Two steps away
Russia has repeatedly threatened the West with nuclear weapons, most recently during Friday’s annexation speech. Experts still do not believe that Putin will take the threats seriously, but they believe the annexation will bring the use of nuclear weapons a step closer, as Putin can now justify it by saying that “the territorial integrity of our country is threatened,” he writes. the newspaper.
– There is still little chance, but it is the most serious nuclear weapons situation since the 1980s, when the Cold War ended. It is a very dangerous situation. It needs to be taken seriously by Western politicians, says Franz-Stefan Gady, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.
Alexander Gabuev, author and researcher at Moscow State University, agrees with the precarious situation. He says that the outside world hoped that the Ukrainian successes would make Putin back down ‚but that the Russian annexation and mobilization instead show that he is betting even more.
sea View
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– Over and over again we see how Putin views this as an existential war and that he is ready to up the ante if he loses on the battlefield. At the same time, I don’t think the West will back down, so it’s a very difficult challenge now, he tells the Washington Post and continues:
– It’s two or three steps away from Russia failing to achieve its goals and seeking refuge in what was once unthinkable.
Nuclear weapons will likely only be used after mobilization, sabotage and other measures fail to reverse Russian developments in Ukraine, and it is unclear what Russia will achieve with this, Gady believes.
Ukraine takes back strategic Lyman
– It can last ten years
During the war, rumors circulated that the Kremlin does not support Putin’s war. Several people from the Russian elite are also said to be shocked by what has happened in recent months. A source close to the Kremlin tells the Guardian.
– Nobody knows what will happen next, it is obvious that there is no great strategy. If one thing doesn’t work, we’ll try something else and no one knows where it will take us. Decisions are made in a man’s head, the source says and describes the future as very uncertain.
Recent developments, with military mobilization and the annexation of Ukrainian areas, have also caused great dissatisfaction among the Russian population. But only a few dare to oppose the president. It could have serious consequences for the war in Ukraine, believes risk expert Mikaeli Langinvaino.
– It is unlikely that there will be a military solution to the war. The war could continue for years if Putin is not removed from power. It can take ten years, adds Langinvainio den finske avisa Iltalehti.
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