Gates: Putin Wants Empire, Not Peace
Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates asserts that Vladimir Putin’s ambitions extend to recreating the Russian Empire, with Ukraine viewed as crucial to this objective. Putin’s demands, including the occupation of eastern Ukrainian provinces, control of Crimea, a pro-Russian Kyiv government, and a weakened Ukrainian military, demonstrate this unwavering goal. Despite substantial Russian losses, Putin shows no signs of compromise, leading Gates to believe that Putin is unlikely to accept a peace deal without achieving his imperial ambitions. This assessment contrasts with President Trump’s push for direct talks, suggesting a potential misunderstanding of Putin’s intentions.
John Q. Hosedrinker