What’s Behind Putin’s Threats of Escalation?
In response to the success of Ukraine’s counteroffensives, Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to mobilize more troops and to use nuclear weapons.
Vladimir Putin’s latest escalation in Ukraine is no show of strength… this won’t deter Ukraine from continuing its military offensive, and it shouldn’t deter the West from accelerating its military aid to Kyiv’s forces.
Putin, unwilling to acknowledge defeat, is now announcing the mobilization of at least 300,000 reserve forces… The very hint of Putin’s mobilization address caused the Russian stock market to crash. Getting 300,000 reservists to report to duty may be a big challenge.
This latest gambit is true to form. It likely dashes any slim hope that this war will be over any time soon, but it also demonstrates that Putin’s options are narrowing in the face of military shortcomings that defy any quick solution.