Russian President Vladimir Putin may be open to a cease-fire in his war with Ukraine, so long as the country could still declare victory, a new report by the New York Times found.

Putin, still confident in his forces, said that Russia’s goals have not changed. In his annual year-end press conference last week, Putin warned that there would be no peace solution in Ukraine until Russia achieves its overarching goals, the “denazification” and demilitarization of Ukraine.

Putin’s message might be different now, as he has reportedly signaled he is ready to make a deal. Since September, Putin has signaled that he is open to a pause in fighting along the current lines, which is much shorter than his intention to dominate Ukraine, according to the Times who cited two former senior Russian officials.

According to the United Nations, more than 10,000 civilians have been killed and 18,500 have been injured since the start of the war nearly two years ago.

  • Feirdro@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    he could literally pull out anytime he wanted and claim victory. His supporters lap up anything he tells them.

    Trump should be allowed to call himself president so long as he never steps foot in Washington and promises only to say it on ONAN and Fox.

    • TechyDad@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      And since he runs the state propaganda/news stations, nothing would stop him from claiming that they successfully killed all the Nazis in Ukraine. “We went in and killed all the Nazis so we’re pulling all our troops out.”

      Of course, they would need to give back the territories that they annexed as well as all the children that they stole. Not to mention pay reparations for all the damage that they did/suffering they caused. Again, though, Putin could spin this to his people. “We only temporarily annexed those areas to denazify them and always planned on returning them to Ukraine. Same with the kids. And since we accidentally destroyed some infrastructure in ‘helping’ Ukraine rid itself of Nazis, we’re generously helping them rebuild.”

      Of course, nobody but those who buy Russian propaganda will believe this, but Putin just needs the appearance of everything going according to his plans.

    • MotoAsh@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Nah, Trump openly claiming it without repercussions is EXACTLY how we still have MAGAts following him. “Stop the steal” is functionally identical to, “I’m still president.”

    • bedrooms@kbin.social
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      10 months ago

      He has a paranoiac disorder. He won’t trust his propaganda channels to listen to him.

    • bedrooms@kbin.social
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      10 months ago

      Another thing is, access to Black Sea is too juicy military, and now with more ports in Ukraine, also commercially. Add to it the wheat Ukraine can grow and Russian pride. He probably already promised these things and human resources to his moronic oligarchs. He won’t take his words back.