Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 21. Thousands of young Russian men fled the country after it announced a “partial mobilization” of reservists in the war in Ukraine. | Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/AFP
Vladimir Putin is desperate. It’s all about whether it’s good news or bad news. In other words, the question is whether this should motivate aggressive or cautious US policy. In any case, the answer is probably “a little bit of both”. The hardest part is finding the right dose, the right amount of boldness and prudence.
The Russian President expressed his dismay during his Sept. 21 speech (originally scheduled for the previous day). He wanted to present it as a proud, patriotic call for national mobilization, but it was perceived very differently.
A confession from Putin
His speech focused on three points:
First, he declared a “partial mobilization” of reservists to defend “historic Greater Russia” against Ukraine’s “neo-Nazi regime,” which he said was subordinate to NATO.
Then he announced referendums in the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions (where many Russians live) to see if they wanted to be annexed by Russia.
In conclusion, he warned against “using all means” in the event of a “threat to Russia’s territorial integrity”. [sa] Rule,” alluding, of course, to the possibility of nuclear strikes, and allowing himself to add, “It’s not a bluff.”
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In itself, this partial mobilization is an admission by Putin that things are not going the way he would like in Ukraine – something he has never wanted to admit publicly (nor has he said explicitly). Six months ago he had promised Russian mothers not to send their sons into battle. Today he is forced to do it if he doesn’t want to…
Read more on Slate.fr.