Sometimes it's not what's said that makes the biggest impression. It's the reaction. In the Russian Far East, Vladimir Putin delivered a warning to the West: don't even think about sending soldiers - and that includes peacekeepers - to Ukraine. If some troops appear there, the Russian president said, especially now while the fighting's going on, we proceed from the premise that these will be legitimate targets for destruction.
Then the reaction. The audience at the economic forum in Vladivostok burst into applause, with Russian officials and business leaders apparently welcoming the threat to destroy Western troops. Observing the scene in the hall, I found the applause quite chilling.
This came just a day after Kyiv's allies, the so-called Coalition of the Willing, had pledged a post-war reassurance force for Ukraine. The audience applauded again when the Kremlin leader suggested that he would be prepared to meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky - but only on home soil. The best place for this is the Russian capital, in Hero City Moscow, said Putin. Outside Russia, Putin's proposal has been dismissed as unserious, a complete non-starter.
This uncompromising stance is fueled by a combination of factors. First, the Kremlin believes that Russian forces have the initiative on the battlefield. Second, by recent diplomatic events where Putin met with world leaders, showcasing allies like China and India. Moreover, Trump’s attempts to engage with Russia haven’t led to any concessions from Putin.
Currently, Russia appears focused on achieving its goals in Ukraine, while Ukraine and its allies aim to end the fighting and secure a strong post-war footing. The stark differences in their paths raise questions about any potential convergence towards peace.
Then the reaction. The audience at the economic forum in Vladivostok burst into applause, with Russian officials and business leaders apparently welcoming the threat to destroy Western troops. Observing the scene in the hall, I found the applause quite chilling.
This came just a day after Kyiv's allies, the so-called Coalition of the Willing, had pledged a post-war reassurance force for Ukraine. The audience applauded again when the Kremlin leader suggested that he would be prepared to meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky - but only on home soil. The best place for this is the Russian capital, in Hero City Moscow, said Putin. Outside Russia, Putin's proposal has been dismissed as unserious, a complete non-starter.
This uncompromising stance is fueled by a combination of factors. First, the Kremlin believes that Russian forces have the initiative on the battlefield. Second, by recent diplomatic events where Putin met with world leaders, showcasing allies like China and India. Moreover, Trump’s attempts to engage with Russia haven’t led to any concessions from Putin.
Currently, Russia appears focused on achieving its goals in Ukraine, while Ukraine and its allies aim to end the fighting and secure a strong post-war footing. The stark differences in their paths raise questions about any potential convergence towards peace.
