[December 31, 2024] The war between Russia and Ukraine is important because it gives us a glimpse into the future, not just of warfare tactics and strategy, but of Russian President Putin’s ultimate goal. And within the past few days, Putin now claims that “We won’t negotiate! We’ll fight all of Europe!”
In a TASS news article, Russian representatives claim their military has nearly achieved the objectives of their special military operation. As well, they have no plans to negotiate with Ukraine or agree to a ceasefire.
“Russia holds the initiative in all areas, while the Ukrainian armed forces are on the verge of collapse and the Zelensky regime has lost its legitimacy, along with the ability to make agreements.” — Sergey Naryshkin, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director
Nothing I’ve heard through my unclassified channels says anything about a Ukrainian military on the verge of collapse. All those studying this war know that the primary military strategy of both sides is a war of attrition, in which the enemy is baited to attack well-prepared, kill-zone defenses.
What Putin is telling us, is that he will not negotiate because the Russians are going to win. Naryshkin says this war is not all about Ukraine but fighting the collective West so Russia can achieve its freedom and sovereignty.
This differs from their original stated goal to “demilitarize and denazify” Ukraine. This shift in our understanding of Putin’s endgame is significant. His ambitions are far greater and encompassing and reminiscent of the old Soviet plan to conquer Europe and dismantle America. This strategy bankrupted them before and led to the fall of the Soviet Union.
Since Donald Trump’s election as the U.S. President, sources inside the Kremlin say Putin is open to discussing a ceasefire. However, more recent reports contradict this scenario. How much of this is political gamesmanship is unknown but dangerous. Trump is unpredictable and tough, unlike Biden, who was prone to weakness and predictability in foreign policy.
What we are witnessing here is a classic Russian position: confuse, disrupt, deny. Trump promised to end this war before he was sworn in. That seems unlikely at this point, with both sides far apart on either a ceasefire or ending the war. This is likely to mean that the war will continue throughout 2025 until one of the warring sides experiences a social and economic collapse.
So far, Russia appears to be the most likely to fall. Many believe that Putin will unlikely sue for a negotiated settlement.
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Please read my books:
Putin is going to destroy Russia. He’s a nut.
Happy New Year to all my great friends here on Gen. Satterfield’s blog.
Yeah, I get it, Putin is going to take over the world. In his dreams. Is there something wrong with this man? Megalomania or something like that? I wouldn’t trust him more than soon-to-be ex-president Biden. Both are evil men and deserve the backside of my a$$. Of course, I’m just an average Joe working hard and paying my taxes and following the laws. But because I do that, the Democrat Party thinks I’m a racist homophobe. Never vote Democrat ever again. Oh, back to Putin. He his going to have his clock cleaned shortly, if you know what I mean. Nothing better could happen to him. He has nowhere to run. China and N. Korea are about his only allies left. Hmmmm, now wonderful is that?
Willie, look away, look away. Too much truth here to stand in one post.
Gen. Satterfield, yes, it looks like Russian strategic goals are shifting from a simple limited Special Military Operation to something more grand. Now, that is hard to believe but if you listen to Putin, that’s what you would believe. Warning. Watch out for the propaganda.
💥 Happy New Year 💥
Let’s be careful. Lots of rumors coming out of Russia. They are failing. They are bankrupt. They are about to lose the war. They are disintegrating into chaos. Putin is about to be assassinated. And so on. Are they true? Probably not. But we don’t know. And our CIA and other intelligence agencies are worthless except for spying on U.S. American citizens.
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And Happy New Year!!!!!!🎆
Russia is in a de-industrialization phase, something that is neither good for Russian peoples or the West that gets so much energy. No one could imagine this before they invaded Ukraine. Their policies don’t seem rational. But, hey, I’m not Russian.
The impact today on Europe is spiking energy costs. The price the West pays for this war is staggering. The world is losing, not just Russia. 🇷🇺
I think we are at the beginning of a world wide de-industrialization because energy costs are spiking up because of war,and political corruption.
REMEMBER, PUTIN IS AN OLD-STYLE SOVIET.
Will Russia fall? Many are predicting that is exactly what will happen. Most likely from an economic implosion. Now it is possible someone will assassinate Putin, but don’t bet on it. He’s surrounded by a very loyal body guard and probably a double. Regardless of the outcome of the war over the next year, Russia is being bleed dry. With America’s strong leader Donald Trump coming into power in three weeks, I expect that Putin is going to have a change of heart. Like Kojack below noted, Putin is blustering because he wants to appear strong to get a better deal. I really don’t think he wants to take on all of Europe.
Drew, I agree. The question is whether the situation will break before Trump takes office. There already has been confirmed that a delegation of Russians spent two days in Washington DC. Were they visiting Trump? Or Biden? Who knows. But it is an indication of Russia’s inherent weakness.
Well said, Dennis. 👍
Bluster . . . . . all bluster! This is what you get when you are always told “yes” by all your advisor lapdogs. Much like Biden who is run by his media lapdogs.