Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s recent statements about a quick end to the war in Ukraine are a deceptive maneuver designed to distract from his military’s weakness, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated.
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Speaking at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in Kyiv, Pistorius noted that Putin controls when the terror against Ukrainian civilians stops. “I believe that Putin, with his behavior, is currently trying to distract attention from his own weakness,” Pistorius said.
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“At this moment, he can hardly boast of territorial gains. His army loses parts of the captured territories again and again,” he continued.
The German defense chief pointed out the inherent contradiction in Putin’s rhetoric.
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“Any attentive observer immediately has a question: if he really sees the end of this war, then he could simply end it? Then the moment of completion would be entirely in his hands,” Pistorius noted. “But at the same time, he puts forward conditions again—as always.”
Pistorius emphasized that Putin’s claims are part of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, warning that he has a history of violating ceasefire agreements and acting contrary to established negotiations.
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It sort of feels like “the war is about to end” is mainly meant for the internal audience, the Russians that have lost patience (and loved ones).
To the rest of the world, it’s probably more an admission that he doesn’t have a second round of mobilization in him. Not for lack of trying, of course. It seems to be so easy for autocrats to send people to die.
Exactly. Just keep hitting them!