Kathrine Frich
When allies start arguing among themselves, their biggest rivals usually sit back and watch the show.
A massive shift in transatlantic military policy is currently shaking up the geopolitical chessboard.
One powerful leader thinks his opponents just handed him the winning move.
New confidence
Writing for iNews, Galeotti argued that Putin now believes divisions between the United States and Europe are increasingly working in Russia’s favor.
The historian pointed to Trump’s reported plans to begin withdrawing American troops from Germany, a move Russian state media reportedly described as “A slap in the face” to Berlin.
According to Galeotti cited by Ziare, the Kremlin sees the growing tension between Washington and European allies as a strategic opportunity rather than a threat.
Victory Day fears
This year’s Victory Day parade in Moscow is expected to look far smaller than previous celebrations.
Reports suggest there will be fewer troops, fewer tanks and limited foreign participation amid fears Ukraine could target the event with drone attacks.
Putin reportedly attempted to introduce a temporary ceasefire around the celebrations while warning Kyiv of a “massive missile strike” if Russia came under attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the proposal as “absolute cynicism” and instead called for an immediate broader ceasefire.
Europe under pressure
According to Galeotti, the Kremlin does not necessarily expect NATO to collapse, but it increasingly believes Western unity is weakening.
Russian state newspaper Rossiskaya Gazeta claimed: “Europeans are simply not willing to believe in the inevitable: the Americans are not willing to fight for or in their place.”
The historian argued that Putin’s main strategy is no longer necessarily achieving rapid military victory, but instead outlasting Ukraine and exhausting Western political support.
No reason for peace
Galeotti concluded that Moscow currently sees little incentive to pursue serious peace negotiations.
“With European economies battered by the Gulf crisis and the US and EU distancing themselves from them, it is easier for Putin to tell himself that victory is just around the corner,” the historian wrote.
“Therefore, he has no reason to talk about peace.”
Sources: iNews, Rossiskaya Gazeta, Ziare.com
