Moscow changes war rhetoric but stays war course

The speed of political realignments in the Middle East, Europe, and, in particular, Washington D.C. is so rapid that Russian policymakers struggle to keep pace. The Kremlin presumes, nevertheless, that while others are in a rush, it can exercise strategic patience and gain an advantage by refusing to modify its position and harvesting new concessions. Effective combat operations are seen as the main source of strength in this position of intransigence. Russian General Staff reports about 600 square kilometers (231 square miles) “liberated” since the start of the year, as if this miniscule gain constitutes a major step to victory. Russia’s persistence in its invasion of Ukraine should prove to European states the imperative to invest more in their military preparations and support of Ukraine. It also stands as a reminder to the Trump administration that new resources of strength need to be mobilized, as negotiating from a position of weakness is never a winning approach.