Russian forces in Ukraine are suffering casualties at more than 400,000 per year — enough to pack the house at the world’s four largest stadiums. Losses
warontherocks.com
Russia’s economy has and will continue to face strains. Amid these strains, we can expect some analysts to continue to make dire predictions, arguing that Russian economic collapse is imminent. It is also plausible that Russia’s economy will continue to muddle through, with faster economic growth than much of Western Europe over the next few years. If so, the Russian military menace is unlikely to disappear any time soon. As Chatham House’s Mathieu Boulègue contends, “the Russian military industry remains a formidable machine. It is likely to continue to be able to muddle along, producing ‘good enough’ systems that will still represent a significant threat to Ukraine, NATO and their allies. This is especially true for stand-off and asymmetric capabilities that have not yet been engaged in the war against Ukraine.”
Russia’s ongoing campaign to destroy Ukraine as a state and as a nation is taking place in front of the watching world and makes a complete mockery of US-led efforts to broker some kind of compromise peace, writes Peter Dickinson.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
Trump deserves considerable credit for seizing the initiative and attempting to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. At the same time, his current approach is obviously not working. The time has now come to stop seeking compromises with the Kremlin and start speaking to Putin in the language of strength. This means tightening sanctions on Russia and targeting the many countries that continue to fuel Putin’s war machine. Above all, it means significantly increasing military aid to Kyiv and boosting Ukraine’s ability to defeat Russia on the battlefield. Putin has staked his entire reign on the destruction of Ukraine. He will not back down unless forced to do so. Peace will only come when Ukraine is too strong to be subjugated.
