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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The EU is debating whether to negotiate with Vladimir Putin for peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian president appears to have already achieved two objectives...
After the traditional Victory Parade, Vladimir Putin once again demonstrated one of his greatest skills: creating a lot of uncertainty with a few words. On May 10, the Russian president declared that the war in Ukraine is “nearing its end.” This short sentence surprised not only the West, but also the regime’s loyal propagandists. Since then, the question has arisen as to what Putin intends with these statements. Is he signaling a genuine willingness to negotiate? Or is he trying to further divide the West with a poisoned offer?
Green MEP Terry Reintke is convinced of this. "Putin's alleged willingness to negotiate is a deceptive maneuver to force Ukraine to surrender in the long term. The EU must not fall into this trap," she told the Frankfurter Rundschau.
According to the member of the Defense Committee in the European Parliament, the West should have no illusions: the aggressor Putin continues to aim for the capitulation of Ukraine and the subjugation of its territory, population and culture.
Although Reintke supports keeping communication channels with Russia at lower levels, she considers it wrong for "Putin's aggressive war to be rewarded by pushing Ukraine to make concessions to the aggressor and giving up on European solidarity."
"Negotiations are realistic only when Putin credibly gives up his war goals," she stressed. According to her, there is currently no sign of such.
Even Estonian MEP Riho Terras, from the conservative European People's Party (EPP) group, does not believe that Putin is truly interested in peace negotiations.
"If it were, he would stop the attacks on Ukraine," said the deputy chairman of the Defense Committee.
Terras also rejected Putin's proposal to present former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator between Russia and Europe.
"If someone mentions Schröder, that's just theater. Schröder is on the Russian payroll. That would be like Putin negotiating with himself, and that doesn't make sense ," said the former Estonian army general.
Terras sees Putin currently in a difficult situation, but doubts that the Kremlin leader is getting accurate information from his military. “I don’t believe that Putin is getting accurate reports from military commanders about the situation on the front,” he said.
According to him, debates about negotiations are a kind of distraction from more urgent tasks.
"We must continue to support Ukraine even more strongly so that it can win the fight against Putin," Terras stressed.
Sigmar Gabriel calls for a European initiative for negotiations
Former German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel recently spoke on the ZDF show "Markus Lanz" in favor of a European initiative for negotiations.
"Europeans should try to get their foot in the door," he said.
The former SPD leader believes that there is currently a possibility of Russian willingness for dialogue, partly because the economic situation in Russia is weaker than three years ago.
However, Gabriel doubts that Putin wants to talk to Schröder or any other European mediator.
"But there is no danger for us," he said, adding that he would be willing to participate in the first diplomatic contacts himself.
Is the war in Ukraine "ending"? Putin has achieved two goals
In fact, the pressure on Putin seems to be increasing. Political scientist Hanna Notte stated on the “Ronzheimer” podcast that the Russian economy is not facing collapse, but is facing a structural crisis.
Even on the battlefield, the situation is not going according to the Kremlin's expectations. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) recently reported that Russian forces are capturing less territory in Ukraine than they are losing in other sectors of the front.
Meanwhile, investigative journalist Bojan Pancevski, known for his sources in the region, stated in an interview that Russian troops are achieving minimal gains and that, given the heavy losses, this situation "is not sustainable in the long term."
Inflation and tax increases are hitting the Russian population, not Putin himself, but some figures close to the Kremlin may also be unhappy about the financial losses caused by the war.
However, it remains impossible for citizens to take to the streets en masse or for oligarchs to overthrow Putin. Anyone who stands up against him risks their lives.
Escalation remains an option
In the event of further military failures, Putin has another alternative besides negotiations: escalating the conflict.
For days, Russian propagandists have been calling for military attacks against Western countries that support Ukraine.
According to their logic, if EU countries were forced to defend their territory from Russian missiles and drones, fewer weapons would reach Ukraine. Also, fear of new attacks could lead some European countries to reduce aid to Kiev.
It remains to be seen which path Putin will choose. What is certain is that with his statements on May 10, he has already achieved two objectives: he has sown doubts and diverted attention from his own problems. /Adapted from Pamphlet /
Sidoqe te e veje , Putin e ka humbur luften ! U nis per te pushtuar Kievin per 3 jave , dhe po ha mutin e tij sot e 4 vjet e 4 muaj ! Me nje G.P.D si e Rusise 140 milione banore , e cila eshte rrote e me rrote Italine, dhe me nje tufe rusesh te alkolizuar ne pjesen derrmuese te meshkujve ... me nje jetegjatesi mesatare sa ajo e Ghana , dhe me nje mungese vullneti te dukshme per te luftuar , ruset do jene turpi I viteve 2020 !