Bloomberg: Putin wants to conclude war by year's end but only on terms he considers victorious for Russia
Bloomberg has reported that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin wants to end the war against Ukraine by the end of this year, but only on terms he himself considers "victorious" for Russia.
Source: Bloomberg, citing a source familiar with the matter
Details: Sources told Bloomberg that Putin is seeking to conclude the war by year's end, but solely on his own terms, particularly full control over Donbas.
According to the news agency, Putin is also seeking a broader security agreement with Europe that would effectively recognise Moscow's territorial gains.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied that Putin has set any deadline for ending the war.
Bloomberg's sources also say nervousness is spreading among the Russian elite. Some senior Kremlin officials believe the war has reached a stalemate with no clear path to conclusion.
"Russia is facing setbacks on the battlefield. In order to sustain its war efforts in Ukraine, the Kremlin will almost certainly have to impose a second partial mobilisation within the next 12 months," said Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.
Background:
- On 9 May, Putin said he was willing to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country, but only to sign final agreements on ending the war. Putin also claimed that "the Ukrainian conflict is moving towards its conclusion".
- During this year's Victory Day parade in Moscow, Putin also said Russian forces draw inspiration from Soviet soldiers of World War II.
- Peskov then explained Putin's remarks about the war supposedly nearing its end by referencing "progress" in the peace process and US mediation efforts, but gave no specific timeframe.
- Following a meeting with military leadership, intelligence and the Security Service of Ukraine on 15 May, Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine continues to record Russian attempts to draw Belarus further into the war and instructed the defence forces to present a response plan.
- Belarus's Ministry of Defence announced that on 18 May, exercises for units on the combat use of nuclear weapons began in the country, conducted in coordination with Russian forces.
- On 21 May, Peskov stated that the Russian-Belarusian military nuclear drills are a signal to Europe and NATO.
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