Ukraine changed its tactics, and now Putin is slowly losing

The events of recent days in Ukraine and Russia have radically changed the picture of the war as well as attitudes toward the Russian aggressor.

There was recently a telling sign of the shift: Russia, for the first time in almost 20 years, held its festive annual parade on Red Square without any tanks or missiles. Putin had to cancel the heavy military equipment for fear of a Ukrainian strike. 

In recent weeks, perceptions of Russia have changed across the world. Russia’s ideological expansion was not strengthened by developments on the cultural front either: A recent protest action by the Russian rock band Pussy Riot disrupted government efforts to insert Russia into European cultural politics through art at an event in Venice.

Putin has also suddenly changed his rhetoric regarding Ukraine. He no longer calls the authorities in Kyiv “drug addicts” and “neo-Nazis” who have “taken the entire Ukrainian people hostage.” Instead, he now politely says “Mr. Zelensky” when referring to Ukraine’s president. He even seems to hold forth the possibility of a meeting with him.

The reasons are clear. The Russian dictator has genuinely felt the power of the Ukrainian military. Its strikes deep inside Russia are inflicting serious damage on Russia’s war machine and the public’s morale.........

© The Hill