Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
According to sources from the Kremlin, Putin’s inner circle is growing increasingly nervous that the Russian leader might actually do the unthinkable.
As the war in Ukraine drags on, Putin is reportedly ready to escalate the conflict.
Anonymous Kremlin sources told Bloomberg that the Russian leadership is considering escalating attacks on major Ukrainian cities, including the center of Kyiv.
The sources also say that the Russian leadership is thinking about increasing attacks with ballistic missiles to target infrastructure across Ukraine.
According to the sources, voices in Putin’s inner circle are even beginning to worry that the Russian leader could resort to using tactical nuclear weapons if the first escalatory choices do not prove effective.
But this would be a huge mistake for several reasons — and some of Russia’s closest trade partners have made that very clear to the Kremlin.
Don’t even think about it
According to the Bloomberg report, China and India have issued strong warnings to Vladimir Putin against using tactical nuclear weapons.
A senior European official stated that Beijing sent a direct message telling Moscow not to consider detonating nuclear devices. The warning comes at a perilous moment for regional stability.
Diplomatic efforts to reach a peace agreement have ground to a halt. Russian forces have launched intense ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv and key infrastructure targets across the country.
Three sources close to the Kremlin revealed that negotiation frameworks have completely collapsed. They noted that Putin will not end the fighting simply because of economic pressure.
Talks fall apart
Moscow views recent Ukrainian attacks as direct strikes by NATO states due to alliance weapon supplies. Speaking on state TV, Putin claimed Ukraine “opened this Pandora’s box.”
He added a direct warning to Kyiv. “Well, be ready to get blowback on your most sensitive sectors of the economy,” he said.
American mediation efforts have stalled while Washington focuses on Iran, Bloomberg reported. Kremlin insiders say Moscow has abandoned reliance on agreements made during last August’s summit in Alaska.
Extreme last resort
Tensions remain high following a rare visit to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries have caused fuel shortages and billions in damage across Russia.
Putin will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kyrgyzstan next week.
