Kasparov: Putin could launch an incursion into Latvia or Estonia to test NATO after Russia’s September election.
He has always escalated when he felt he was in trouble. The most likely next escalation is a provocation, Politico. 1/
Kasparov: There is no sign in Russian propaganda, government actions or Putin’s speeches that Moscow is preparing for peace: War, war, war, war. 2/
Kasparov: Russia does not need a full-scale invasion to undermine NATO. Moscow could seize a small border town, possibly with a Russian-speaking population, and wait for the response.
If the US failed to help defend it, NATO is no longer there. 3/
Kuleba: Something personal broke between Zelenskyy and Fedorov.
Zelenskyy likely learned something that hit him personally and stopped trusting him. Yermak pressured Fedorov, but Fedorov had always been indispensable.
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Kuleba: I see no parallel with last year. Back then, I saw an attack on NABU, an independent instution.
Today, I see an attack on a strong manager and rising politician whose ties with Zelenskyy broke. Once that trust breaks, he cannot run defense or help the system.
Zelenskyy: The dialogue between the army leadership and Defense Ministry is difficult at different levels. It is not only about personalities.
Fedorov will remain on the team. The new Prime Minister has his own vision and must be strengthened by people he trusts. 1/
Zelenskyy: The army is responsible for holding the battlefield and our successful long-range strikes. There are problems in some brigades that must be addressed boldly.
Everyone is tired of the war. Our task is to ensure Russia becomes completely exhausted first. 2/
Zelenskyy: We still have not found a respectful way to solve mobilization problems. There are issues on the battlefield and in some brigades that must be addressed.
This is not the responsibility of one side alone. The problems have to be solved together. 3/
Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi: I’m proud Kyiv’s defense saved the capital in 2022. That is why people can hold briefings here, shape plans, and make decisions today.
I thank Mykhailo Fedorov for his work as defense minister. Hope he stays on Ukraine’s team.
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Syrskyi: I will do everything so Ukraine stays free and independent.
To keep Ukraine free, we must focus on the war and on a strategy that already brings results.