De Kruif deduces from Putin’s speech on Tuesday that he too realizes that things are not going very well at the front. The leader again referred to his nuclear weapons. De Kruif: ‘he will never fail to subtly point out to us that Russia has the potential for escalation’. And Putin has stopped even mentioning the precise goals of the war, such as the capture of Donbass.
De Kruif also sees signs at the front that things are not going well for Putin. “I see on the battlefield that the Russians are making almost no progress. They have to use the reserves to be able to man the front line.’
This means that we should also gradually think about the scenario in which Russia does not win this war, says de Kruif. This is good news, of course, but it’s also dangerous news. Because what will Putin do with his nuclear weapons?’
Settled at the table
Ultimately, the commander expects this war to be resolved at the table. There he expects a mediation role for both the US and China. “But first the situation on the battlefield must become clearer. I expect it to become apparent in the near future.’