‘Putin’s bitter civilian attacks in Ukraine show he has no desire for peace.’
Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s agreement to halt brutal winter energy attacks for a week was averting the inevitable – more miserable attacks, proving a point about the Kremlin
Russian attacks on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure indicate a deep hatred of Ukraine that raises major questions about whether any meaningful peace agreement can be reached.
The lack of a clear military strategy, in addition to sending large numbers of Russian troops into the war and making very slow progress, is supported by a senseless concentration on attacking Ukrainian civilians.
In defending against this dishonest full-scale invasion over almost four years, the citizens of Ukraine have proven incredibly resilient, rising to the challenge against all expectations. They are battling horrific winter conditions, with thousands suffering from lack of heat last night, but have remained largely steadfast in their defiance of Putin’s attacks.
Yulia Dolotova uses foam to save her children in Kyiv (Image: AP)
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This principle of strategically attacking civilian assets with millions of pounds’ worth of missiles and drones is futile because it fails to sap Ukrainian resolve. But it underscores Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ruthless contempt for any promises he made to Washington about the war in Ukraine, especially those of President Donald Trump.
Trump apparently said Putin had agreed to stop him from attacking Kyiv’s energy supplies by weaponising frigid winter temperatures to try to break civilian morale. A so-called week-long pause in such attacks, as brokered and promised by President Trump, meant that temporary relief was postponing the inevitable.
Vladimir Putin has ordered a brutal attack on Ukraine (Image: AP)
So by holding off on attacks, as apparently agreed with Trump, Putin was delaying the inevitable, one of the most brutal attacks on Ukraine in weeks. Putin has played for time, allowing pauses and constantly pushing out peace talks, but he is running out of tricks.
Not that we are looking forward to more talks in Abu Dhabi, but in the spirit of intimidation and projection of power, Putin could not avoid trying to show that he has the upper hand. Last night’s attack will not strategically advance Putin’s objective in winning the war, but he hopes it might somehow impress upon Trump’s negotiating team that he is winning the war.
Ukraine’s Zelensky with NATO chief Mark Rutte (Image: Ukrainian Presidential Press SER)
This is a sign of frustration and disrespect towards US President Donald Trump, who recently said: “I called President Putin. He has a tremendous cold wave. If you don’t fire for a period of a week, no missiles will go into Kiev or any other city, and he agreed to do that. That’s something.”
No, Mr President – this is ‘nothing’, perhaps worse than nothing because Putin’s statements are meaningless in the face of calls for peace. Trump is being mocked daily by the Kremlin’s lies, leaving Kiev stuck in a terrible dilemma, almost an existential choice.
Kyiv is being thrown into a bitterly cold winter war (Image: Global Images Ukraine via Getty)
This is to finally and decisively expose Putin’s lies and Washington’s foolish belief in playing for time as its troops advance painfully slowly on the front lines.
Or Kyiv could continue to play along for the time being in the hope that Ukrainian forces will remain in control, despite lacking numbers and weapons, and will prove on the battlefield that they are extremely resourceful and courageous.
Putin is making fun of US President Donald Trump (Image: Getty Images)
Volodymyr Zelensky can only hope that Europe will step forward, that they will get a pause or that something significant will happen that will finally force Washington to abandon its amoral ignorance about the Kremlin’s plan to conquer Kiev.
