Russia has not achieved its original political objectives. But it still fights, occupies substantial Ukrainian territory, and shows no intention of accepting terms that would mean defeat, — for Telegraph. 1/
Kyiv has stopped Russia’s main goals and damaged its economy and military. But Ukraine still depends heavily on Western money, weapons, technology, and air defense. 2/
Zaluzhnyi: This is no longer a war of swift manoeuvres. It is a war of attrition.
Tactical gains now come at enormous cost. Positions can be taken, but holding them, reinforcing them, and evacuating the wounded is harder under constant drone surveillance. 3/
A Russian ex-convict spent a decade in Ukraine under a fake identity, built weapons for the front, and married three women who never knew his real name.
Now Interpol wants him, and Ukraine may hand him over. His real name is Ruslan Puptaev, Babel. 1/
Born 1987 in Kyrgyzstan, raised in Russia’s Ulyanovsk region. Convicted twice — theft at 16, assault at 19.
Russian courts gave him 9 years. 2/
In prison he converted to Islam. Chechen and Dagestani inmates told him about Russian war crimes in their countries.
Volker, ex US-NATO Amb.: Zelenskyy has figured out how to deal with Trump.
By making clear that Ukraine wants a ceasefire and wants to end the war, he puts the spotlight on Putin, who doesn't. That gives Trump the best chance to pressure Russia. 1/
Volker: Europe needs Ukraine inside NATO. Russia is a threat to all of Europe.
Ukraine is already one of Europe's most capable countries in defending Europe, fighting Russia and producing the defence technology, industry and know-how everybody will need. 2/
Volker: Trump has realised Russia is weaker than he thought.
Russia can't defend its own airspace, is losing oil refining and export capacity, black smoke is rising over Moscow, while Ukraine is doing pretty well. Putin's argument is becoming less convincing. 3/
Petr Pavel: Ukraine may have about two months to force talks before Russia’s September elections.
After Sept. 20, Putin could declare a general mobilisation and shrink the window for peace, — The Telegraph. 1/
Pavel: Putin is unlikely to mobilise before parliamentary elections because it would be deeply unpopular. But once the vote is over, the political cost changes. 2/
Pavel: Allies must use the current pressure on Russia now.
Give Ukraine what it needs, keep hitting Russia’s weak points, and make Moscow believe negotiation is the only way to get anything. 3/
Stubb: Finland and Sweden wouldn't be in NATO without Russia's attack on Ukraine.
Europe wouldn't be ramping up its industry without the lessons learned from Ukraine. NATO needs Ukraine as much as Ukraine needs NATO.
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Stubb: Three years ago, if someone told me Europe would be doing tens of billions in European defense industry deals and actually sharing the burden — I would have taken it and run.
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Stubb: Ukraine still stands after four and a half years. Russia advanced 60 kilometers in the active war.
In World War II they went from Moscow to Berlin — 1,400 kilometers. By definition, Ukraine is winning.
At 69, Tetiana Tepliuk defended Azovstal under full encirclement, then spent 7 months in Russian captivity. Now 74 — she is back on active duty.
Soldiers call her "Khreshchena." The Godmother. — U24.
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In the bunkers, she refused to eat her own rations.
Khreshchena: "Every evening, we were given a spoonful of sugar and a spoonful of honey. I saved it and gave it to two soldiers — the sugar to one, and the honey to the other."
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In Russian captivity at Taganrog, a guard told her she would not need her slippers — she would soon receive "white slippers" instead. A Russian cultural reference meaning she was being prepared for a coffin.