Posted on 12/24/2023 8:23:32 PM PST by KingofZion
resident Vladimir V. Putin’s confidence seems to know no bounds.
Buoyed by Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive and flagging Western support, Mr. Putin says that Russia’s war goals have not changed.
***But in a recent push of back-channel diplomacy, Mr. Putin has been sending a different message: He is ready to make a deal.
Mr. Putin has been signaling through intermediaries since at least September that he is open to a cease-fire that freezes the fighting along the current lines, far short of his ambitions to dominate Ukraine, two former senior Russian officials close to the Kremlin and American and international officials who have received the message from Mr. Putin’s envoys say.
In fact, Mr. Putin also sent out feelers for a cease-fire deal a year earlier, in the fall of 2022, according to American officials. That quiet overture, not previously reported, came after Ukraine routed Russia’s army in the country’s northeast. Mr. Putin indicated that he was satisfied with Russia’s captured territory and ready for an armistice, they said.
Mr. Putin’s repeated interest in a cease-fire is an example of how opportunism and improvisation have defined his approach to the war behind closed doors. Dozens of interviews with Russians who have long known him and with international officials with insight into the Kremlin’s inner workings show a leader maneuvering to reduce risks and keep his options open in a war that has lasted longer than he expected. While deploying fiery public rhetoric, Mr. Putin privately telegraphs a desire to declare victory and move on.
“They say, ‘We are ready to have negotiations on a cease-fire,’” said one senior international official who met with top Russian officials this fall. “They want to stay where they are on the battlefield.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Blood is on Brian Johnson’s hands
the cease fire can happen anytime Putin wishes, he need only stop attacking Ukraine and immediately leave all Ukrainian territory.
Is it possible that Russia will rebuild and attack again later?
Yes. That's why we'll help Ukraine.
“Why is Ukraine still sending its young men to die in a pointless war they cannot win?”
The Ukrainians have been “not winning” for two years now.
Just saying.
L
With any luck, the sane who might still be alive in the military, will take an opportunity like this. With CIA approval, just off Z and take the best deal available. The Ukes know that everything is now frozen and open for Russian offensive. Could save another 100,000 old Uke men and kids by spring, if true.
LOL, Ukraine isn’t sending anyone anywhere, they are being invaded, overrun while still in their own country.
There is nothing in this article derived from any real reportage.
At this point the media is going to do absolutely everything possible for Biden. If that means imagining Putin believes this or that, and it will get funding passed, then the media will make up this story.
The reasoning will be that the recent media narrative of Ukraine being in desperate condition, constructed to get funding, did not get that funding. So now it is time for a different narrative, to get that funding.
Journalism has abandoned an semblance of legitimacy.
McConnell is going to be upset.
>> President Vladimir V. Putin’s confidence seems to know no bounds.
Wait... what? Putin is DEAD! There’s a body double or something running the country. Must be true, I read it here on FR in multiple Zeeper posts!!!
>> Buoyed by Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive and flagging Western support...
Wait... what? I read every damn evening exuberant reports of Ukrainian battlefield successes in multiple Zeeper reports! Source is “denis” something or other. Ruzzia is on the ropes dammit!
>> just off Z
How? You ruzzian symps will never find him! Why, even when the Ukie grifter in chief is groveling for money (and his cut of it) on Capitol Hill, he’s in camouflage! ROFL
“ Mr. Putin has been signaling through intermediaries since at least September that he is open to a cease-fire that freezes the fighting along the current lines”
DC and London are dreaming of this so they push this story. The goal is to have a cease fire, then the instant it starts, flood Ukraine with NATO equipment, planes, trainers, advisors missiles, etc. then start the build up to their next attack while making Ukraine untouchable by offering it NATO lite status, or even full membership.
The DC/London axis is not prepared to repair Nordstream, end sanctions, return stolen cash and bullion etc.
So now they’re pushing this new narrative.
Of course they will re-arm. But there is zero chance the Ukraine will make any further progress as we saw this summer. Better to take the cease fire (as we did in Korea) than to waste more lives and treasure in a war that cannot be won.
Ukraine can re-arm and maybe negotiate in the future. Putin won’t be around forever
President Trump could end it.
They really ARE going to pretend they beat Putin into negotiating with them, as they sit in Ukrainian ashes with 13 year old conscripts ‘fighting’ next to 70 year old conscripts. NATO has no conscience, why should Zelensky bother with one?
The Ukrainian Generals need to organize a coup and overthrow Zelensky so they can sign the cease fire with Putin. Then they can run the clock out with Putin and hope the next Russian leader isn't a hardliner.
Brave new world
Doesn’t want to give up
Rev 13
Ukes should drop the useless NATO stuff and Russia would not care what they did.
Not like NATO is worth a shiite anyway.
But that Z guy has certainly skimmed off millions, and protected the Bidet* Crime family network.
“ Mr. Putin also sent out feelers for a cease-fire deal a year earlier, in the fall of 2022”.
And then we blow up their pipeline and give them the finger.
This is such a terribly written article.
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