By Finian Cunningham
The provocative gesture is more symbolic than a substantive threat. Russia should ignore it and focus on demolishing the NATO proxy regime in Kiev.
As provocations go, the latest by President Joe Biden to permit the use of long-range missile strikes on Russia is certainly audacious. But, ultimately, in practice, it is a pathetic gesture by a lame-duck president that will have no impact on Russia’s anticipated military victory against the NATO-armed Kiev regime.
The Kremlin is signalling that it is ready to talk to the incoming US administration. But Trump may find Russia’s terms make him look unacceptably weak.
By John Lough, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme
The election of Donald Trump signals a sea change in Ukraine.
On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump consistently promised to end the war in Ukraine before he even took office and said he would do it in one day.
That campaign promise surely terrifies Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and cautiously encourages Russian President Vladimir Putin. But beyond the obvious responses, their hopes and calculations are far more complicated and nuanced.
