Russia and Ukraine flashpoint

[Ryuu96]

RolStoppable said:

Looks like Wagner's march for justice was rather a march for independence. A show of force to get a deal, mostly for Prigozhin himself who doesn't care about the consequences for Russia.

The concessions made by the Russian government prove how serious the threat was. All of the rebels got off scot-free, that's something that wouldn't happen if Moscow still had had the capability to defend itself against several thousand mercenaries.

Given how quickly everything was over, it's hard to see any major changes for the dynamics in Ukraine and Russia in the short term. For the most part things will continue as if none of this has ever happened. Russia will continue to oppress its own people and run its propaganda machine, Ukraine will have to fight the war on the same terms as before, the West will remain cowardly despite Russia being shown to be not even remotely close to the powerful enemy that exists in the perception of the West.

Yup. Putin has exposed himself as a complete clown now.

Putin talked tough in his national address. He sounded like someone preparing for a big fight. But when faced with the difficult decision of trying to stop Wagner mercenaries with major force, he backed down. 2/

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 25, 2023

Instead of doubling down with more force to crush the mutiny, Putin accepted humiliation instead. He was the rat trapped in the corner that so many Putinologists have told us to fear. But he didn't lash out & go crazy. He negotiated & with a traitor. 4/

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 25, 2023

The sooner Putin fears he is losing the war, the faster he will negotiate. 6/END

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) June 25, 2023

He backed down from a small group of mercenaries AND fled Moscow to St Petersburg.