Moscow takes measure of Western vaccilations

Any setback on the fluid battlefield may cause another swing of Putin’s mood from overconfidence to angst, thus triggering a new bout of nuclear brinkmanship. US and European policymakers have learned this pattern and gained experience in calibrating responses that neither dismiss the blackmail nor yield to it. Symbolic declarations that “grant” Ukraine the right to use Western weapons as it deems necessary are not helpful, but expanding practical work with the Ukrainian command on precise targeting to minimize civilian casualties is needed. Geopolitical caution reminds that Putin’s declarations are bluffs until they are not, though the same is true about the firmness of his grip on power.