- Putin is facing growing pressure as the West allows Ukraine to strike Russian targets
- The US and NATO allies are enabling Ukraine’s military to hit back harder against Russian forces
- But Putin’s threats of nuclear retaliation are seen as increasingly hollow
- Will Putin back down or escalate the conflict further?
The war in Ukraine has reached a pivotal juncture. As Western nations supply Ukraine with more advanced and longer-range weapons, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin finds himself with few good options. His thinly-veiled nuclear threats draw little fear from the vastly stronger NATO alliance. But will Putin choose to escalate the war or face a humbling defeat?
Putin Boxed Into a Corner
Key points about Putin’s deteriorating position:
- Ukraine is now allowed to use US missiles against Russian military sites
- France, Germany, and Britain also approved attacks inside Russia
- This follows Ukrainian forces reclaiming some occupied territory
- Putin had warned of potential nuclear retaliation, but his bluff was called
Despite Putin’s bluster, military experts view Russia as severely outmatched against the full might of NATO countries supporting Ukraine. The Russian economy and conventional military pale compared to the US and its allies’ combined economic and defense power.
No-Win Scenario for Putin?
Diane Francis, an expert quoted in the source article, paints a grim picture of Putin:
- She states flatly: Russia will be turned to cinders if Putin escalates to nuclear war
- With Britain, the US and France all atomic powers, Putin would be hopelessly outnumbered
- Russia’s economy is only a fraction of the size of NATO’s combined GDP
- Even a limited nuclear strike could trigger an overwhelming NATO military response
While concerning, Putin’s latest nuclear saber-rattling appears to be yet another toothless threat. He likely recognizes the catastrophic consequences of actually using nuclear weapons against Ukraine or a NATO member state.
Defiant Ukrainians Digging In
On the Ukrainian side, the resolve to defend their homeland remains unbroken:
- Polling shows most Ukrainians prefer death to living under Russian control again
- President Zelenskyy says they will fight to the death against Russian occupation
- With new heavy weapons incoming, Ukraine can now strike further into Russian territory
- Regaining all territory seized since 2014, including Crimea, is Kyiv’s ultimate aim
As the war grinds on through the summer months, neither side appears ready to back down without a decisive military victory by one side or the other. Can Putin find an acceptable off-ramp, or will he be forced into a disastrous escalation?
