Posted on Dec 31, 2022
War against Ukraine has left Russia isolated and struggling — with more tumult ahead
286
6
2
2
2
0
https://www.npr.org/2022/12/31/ [login to see] /war-against-ukraine-has-left-russia-isolated-and-struggling-with-more-tumult-ahe
It's been 10 months since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was deploying tens of thousands of Russian troops on a mission to "denazify" and "demilitarize" Ukraine – its smaller independent neighbor and former satellite of both the Russian and Soviet empires.
At the time, Putin insisted his forces were embarking on a "special military operation" — a term suggesting a limited campaign that would be over in a matter of weeks.
The reality has been far different.
The invasion has grown into the biggest land war in Europe since World War II, forcing millions of Ukrainians from their homes, decimating the Ukrainian economy and killing thousands of civilians.
It's been 10 months since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was deploying tens of thousands of Russian troops on a mission to "denazify" and "demilitarize" Ukraine – its smaller independent neighbor and former satellite of both the Russian and Soviet empires.
At the time, Putin insisted his forces were embarking on a "special military operation" — a term suggesting a limited campaign that would be over in a matter of weeks.
The reality has been far different.
The invasion has grown into the biggest land war in Europe since World War II, forcing millions of Ukrainians from their homes, decimating the Ukrainian economy and killing thousands of civilians.
War against Ukraine has left Russia isolated and struggling — with more tumult ahead
Posted from npr.org
Russia
Ukraine
Vladimir Putin
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
2
2
0
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023: PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."An increasing isolation
As a result of its actions in Ukraine, Russia has few global allies, save its longtime client state in neighboring Belarus.
Relations with the West have dipped to Cold War levels. Countries at the United Nations overwhelmingly condemned the invasion.
But the Kremlin argues that, too, is a case of Western bias and bullying.
Putin has openly courted allies in the global South, exploiting lingering colonial grievances, conservative values and access to resources.
He has touted new economic partnerships in India and China as proof that a historic shift in the global power balance is under way.
But Putin's vision looks far from assured.
Longtime allies in Central Asia have criticized Russia's actions out of concern for their own sovereignty, an affront that would have been unthinkable in Soviet times. India and China have eagerly purchased discounted Russian oil, but have stopped short of full-throated support for Russia's military campaign.
As 2022 draws to a close, Putin has canceled a series of high-profile events.
A state of the nation address, originally scheduled for April, was repeatedly delayed and won't happen until next year. Putin's annual "direct line" — a media event in which Putin fields questions from ordinary Russians — was canceled outright.
An annual December "big press conference" – a semi-staged affair that allows the Russian leader to handle fawning questions from mostly pro-Kremlin media – was similarly tabled until 2023.
The Kremlin has given no reason for the delays. Many suspect it might be that, after 10 months of war and no sign of victory in sight, the Russian leader has finally run out of good news to share."
..."An increasing isolation
As a result of its actions in Ukraine, Russia has few global allies, save its longtime client state in neighboring Belarus.
Relations with the West have dipped to Cold War levels. Countries at the United Nations overwhelmingly condemned the invasion.
But the Kremlin argues that, too, is a case of Western bias and bullying.
Putin has openly courted allies in the global South, exploiting lingering colonial grievances, conservative values and access to resources.
He has touted new economic partnerships in India and China as proof that a historic shift in the global power balance is under way.
But Putin's vision looks far from assured.
Longtime allies in Central Asia have criticized Russia's actions out of concern for their own sovereignty, an affront that would have been unthinkable in Soviet times. India and China have eagerly purchased discounted Russian oil, but have stopped short of full-throated support for Russia's military campaign.
As 2022 draws to a close, Putin has canceled a series of high-profile events.
A state of the nation address, originally scheduled for April, was repeatedly delayed and won't happen until next year. Putin's annual "direct line" — a media event in which Putin fields questions from ordinary Russians — was canceled outright.
An annual December "big press conference" – a semi-staged affair that allows the Russian leader to handle fawning questions from mostly pro-Kremlin media – was similarly tabled until 2023.
The Kremlin has given no reason for the delays. Many suspect it might be that, after 10 months of war and no sign of victory in sight, the Russian leader has finally run out of good news to share."
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google