Putin doesn’t know how to justify war failures – ISW

The Russian leader canceled his annual press conference to avoid “difficult questions,” analysts said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to postpone his annual speech to the Federal Assembly suggests he is unsure of his ability to shape Russia’s media space amid growing criticism of the invasion of Ukraine. This was announced by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in a report on December 14.

It was noted that the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Kyiv region and northern Ukraine in April 2022 is likely to undermine the Russian leader’s plans to declare victory in a speech before the Federal Assembly, as he did in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea.

Putin may still be waiting and hoping to deliver a grand victory speech in 2023 or delaying the moment when he will have to admit that Russia cannot achieve his oft-repeated maximalist goals in Ukraine.

In their opinion, the victory in Ukraine could allow the Russian president to divert attention from the human and financial losses, as happened in 2014, but the Russian army did not have a significant victory after the occupation of Lysichansk in the first part of July.

“Putin has canceled his annual press conference with members of the Russian public, likely in an attempt to avoid answering questions about Russia’s military failures… Putin seems to be turning more and more to pre-recorded speech scenarios.. .and trying to avoid the risks associated with having to answer complex questions,” summed up the ISW.

Remember, on December 12, Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said that the big annual press conference of the President of Russia will not take place this year.

Ukraine War Undermines Putin’s Geopolitical Campaigns – ISW

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