Harnwell: Putin orders 10% increase in troops as Zelensky blinks and pivots from offence to defence

President Zelensky’s shock pivot from offence to defence reveals the catastrophic implosion of Ukraine’s military capabilities. The order to divert scarce — and diminishing — resources to fortifying Kiev’s defences indicates they know the game is effectively up.

President Putin meanwhile pivots from “denazification” as his rationale for the war — which was for domestic consumption; to “opposing NATO expansion” — which is for the foreign audience. This suggests Putin is preparing the international community for a “mediated ceasefire” — on his terms.

Sources:

https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraines-zelensky-orders-construction-of-defenses-to-hold-back-russia-9ab87c81

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/02/putin-orders-russian-military-to-boost-troop-numbers-by-170000

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/29/france-is-on-the-brink-of-civil-war/

***

Hi there folks, thanks for watching!

I’m Benjamin Harnwell, International Editor of “Steve Bannon’s WarRoom” — the Number 1 ranked US political podcast.

Follow me on the world’s greatest social media app at https://gettr.com/user/harnwell

Aired On: 12/02/23