Putin's Ceasefire Ploy: A Strategic Bid to Isolate Ukraine and Seize Odessa
According to the French President, Moscow might soon suggest a ceasefire proposal for Ukraine. Nevertheless, this prospect comes with a caveat: It would follow Ukraine's isolation from the sea, rendering any ceasefire deceptive.
Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered the drafting of at least 150,000 new soldiers, signaling Russia's preparation for a significant offensive in Ukraine, as covered by "La Repubblica."
In discussions with his cabinet members, Emmanuel Macron highlighted that the Kremlin's ultimate objective is capturing Odessa and establishing a pathway to Transnistria. This strategy would cut off Kyiv's access to the sea, paving the way for Putin to offer a so-called "irresistible ceasefire."
The unreliability of Putin's promises
A warned source in Brussels told "La Repubblica," One must approach such a technical ceasefire proposition with caution, as it could merely serve as a ruse for Moscow to buy time and fortify its military stance. Furthermore, Putin has a history of not adhering to ceasefire agreements, as demonstrated in the breach of commitments within the Minsk protocols, "La Repubblica" reports.
It is foreseen that Moscow's proposed ceasefire might occur sometime between July and November.
Putin's strategic timing around Western elections
The inception of the new term could be marred by prolonged negotiations over pivotal roles within the EU institutions, with new EU authorities potentially only establishing themselves at the start of the subsequent year.
During this period, Russia could seize numerous opportunities to sow European instability.
The urgency displayed by the West in recent weeks stems from a crucial reason: it's imperative to reinforce Ukraine with arms as swiftly as possible to prevent Putin from undermining the rationale of Ukraine's allies for its support through the proposition of a deceptive ceasefire.
Source: "La Repubblica"
