Expert: Putin continues to buy time
Russia’s reaction to Saturday’s summit in Kiev was immediate, and the time – that President Vladimir Putin’s play came at night – shows that the message is aimed at the United States.
– The United States has control over the money in the world economy. Putin reacted directly as he has done several times before, it is classic Russian filibus, says Johan Huovinen.
Putin is trying to wander out Ukraine coalition ultimatum that you will introduce new and harsh financial sanctions unless Russia agrees on a total ceasefire from Monday. Among other things, they will target Russia’s energy production, and it has been talked about completely turning off the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2.
– Russia still has success on the battlefield and takes Mark. The purpose is perhaps to continue to do so for another month. At the same time, they want to keep the dialogue open with the United States, among other things to regain access to the Swift banking system to be able to borrow money, says Johan Huovinen.
How the war once will end is Hard to predict. It can be a cemented standstill line as between North and South Korea, and then Russia wants as strong a position as possible, says Huovinen.
However, none of what Putin has said so far indicates that he is willing to some concessions or prepared to compromise to achieve a peace.
According to Johan Huovinen, it is Ukraine in the coalition that has to hold the clock and decide how to act after Putin’s play on peace negotiations.
The worst thing that can happen is, according to him, being drawn into a « Minsk scenario », which after the Russian invasion in 2014. Then Russia went out on the negotiations for years, while the war continued.
Ukraine’s President Volodyyr Zelenskyj Putin’s play commented on Sunday morning, and writes on X that it is « a positive sign that Russia has finally begun to consider ending the war. »
« The whole world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step to really end any war is a ceasefire, » Zelenskyj writes.
However, the Ukrainian president continues to demand a ceasefire from Monday and writes that he expects Russia to confirm « a complete, lasting and reliable ceasefire ».
Read more:
Putin wants to resume conversations with Kyiv
Sources: West threatens the Kremlin with new sanctions – can close Nord Stream 2
