The rumors of Russian economic collapse and runs on banks caused by new European and US financial sanctions is probably warming to many hearts. Actions based on the US dollar, the Euro, and the HongKong dollar seem to be the main source of Russia’s distress.
Does this explain why Putin has suddenly made a big announcement—for peace talks (a cease fire?), if only Ukraine will give him the 4 eastern Ukraine regions, and agree to NOT join NATO. I don’t think I heard Crimea mentioned in this proposal. Is Putin trying to NOT have his precious Kerch Bridge bombed, by suggesting Ukraine might end up with Crimea??? What is the significance of including the HongKong Dollar? Is this a threat against China, or does China secretly want to put pressure on Putin to end the disasterous world wide economic effects of his ego war? Putin himself said something about ending this fight which is having bad consequences for many countries in the world.
If he thinks Ukraine and Europe are going to roll over and give him eastern Ukraine, Putin is F-ing nuts. Perhaps all he hopes is that he can tell his own people, “See, I tried,” and they will believe him. He is probably getting a lot of pressure from the Oligarcks.
What a mean trick, imposing these nasty sanctions on a day of Russian national celebration.
Would be very interesting to know what is going on between putin and xi. Seems very likely that Putin has made Russia subservient to China
Pitins “peace offer” would be like Hitler offering the allies a peace agreement in the beginning of June 44 that lets him keep everything he has, actually worse. It would be like him demanding parts of the east he no longer controlled as well.
On the surface putin, like Hitler seems to have some leverage. He controls lands in Ukraine. His army is still large and attacking, but things are not going well.
I think he knows this, though not sure how clear a picture he really has, and this “peace offer” is a trial ballon to see what happens.
Reminds me a bit of the idea that if the Germans had been able to reach Antwerp that would cause a split within the Allie’s and lead to a peace agreement. Not likely, just extend the war and more death and destruction
Ukraine faces an existential threat to its existence even with this peace agreement, but what is not talked about much is the existential threat putin faces if things go badly for Russia
Pretty sure the s500 system will be destroyed soon and his bridge will be hit as well. Along with that I see reversals on the battlefield and a Kharkiv like debacle resulting in loss of occupied territory combined with economic challenges may bring out the long knives
What Putin and his inner circle does at that point is anybodies guess.
Proposal: a standard political disruption tactic.
Putin’s nonsense ‘peace’ proposal was meant to assuage his critics at home, not abroad. He’s not serious and so the war will continue until every last Ruzzian is expelled from Ukraine.
“What is the significance of including the HongKong Dollar?”
The value of the HongKong Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar, and it is still afforded special status for convertibility, since it was part of the UK (before the handover to the communist Chinese).
Having that hard, convertible currency is very valuable to the Chinese, and they could risk losing it, if they run afoul of these new secondary sanctions against Russia.