Canadian historian and war expert Margaret MacMillan on Russia’s partial mobilization, the annexation of Ukrainian territories not yet fully conquered – and growing resentment against President Putin in Russia.
How do you rate the fact that Putin now has to order a partial mobilization after having initially led the population to believe that the “special operation” in Ukraine would end in a few days?
Margaret MacMillan: This is extremely embarrassing for Putin. He enjoyed being the head of state of a great power. And now that great power seems weak on the battlefield. The Russian army was supposed to be one of the best in the world and is now being held in Ukraine by people despised in the Kremlin.
Will the mobilization of 300,000 Russian reservists decisively change the balance on the battlefield?