The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread

[personaldesas]

Putin was greeted in Alaska with a handshake and a broad Trump grin, and momentum seemed on his side. But once behind closed doors, the warmth quickly faded, according to multiple people briefed on the talks. With just a handful of advisers present, Putin rejected the US offer of sanctions relief for a ceasefire, insisting the war would end only if Ukraine capitulated and ceded more territory in the Donbas

Putin’s military and security services provide him with regular updates extolling Russian tactical successes, claiming Ukraine is suffering higher casualty numbers and stressing Russia’s resource advantage, according to two people familiar with the matter. 'The whole thing is ideological for him. He still thinks he can win,' the senior western intelligence official said.

https://www.ft.com/content/7af3b49e-c4da-405b-8199-3e12957b78c2