Russia Ukraine war, page-59296

A few months ago, the Kremlin denied it had any plans to invade Ukraine.

But invade it did.

More recently the Kremlin denied it had any plans for a mobilisation.

Today President Putin announced a "partial mobilisation" of military reservists.

See a pattern here? When faced with a choice, Vladimir Putin always seems to choose escalation.

Vladimir Putin has often been called a political poker player. Today he raised the stakes in what is an increasingly dangerous game.
Remember, this was supposed to be nothing more than a "special military operation" (that's what he told the nation). The word "war" is still taboo in the Russian state media. And, if it's not a war, then why announce mobilisation?

Vladimir Putin's challenge is to make Russians believe that, all along, the West's plan was to wage war against Russia (which it wasn't) and that the aim of the West is to destroy Russia (which it isn't). Fail to do that, and he'll struggle to convince the public of the need for mobilisation.

And the challenge for the West? How to deal with a Russian leader who's made it quite clear that he's prepared to use a nuclear weapon to avoid defeat.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62984728