Putin's blackmail did not work. In the West, they are preparing for Russia to capitulate - Piontkovsky

He expressed this opinion on the air of the "West Studio with Antin Borkovsky" program on the Espreso TV channel.

"Everything will return to Ukraine - not only the Zaporizhzhia station, but Crimea as well. Did you notice, by the way, the new tone of congratulation of world leaders on Independence Day? It was emphasized everywhere that the return of Crimea to Ukraine is an absolutely mandatory condition. The same Erdogan, who is now  playing certain mediation games with Putin, very clearly emphasized Turkey's position on the return of Crimea," explained Piontkovsky

The political scientist emphasized that the opinion of the West regarding the settlement of the war in Ukraine has changed.

 "And even more recently, on June 16, Macron, Draghi and Scholz came to Kyiv with the Italian peace plan. The plan was to cease fire and start bilateral negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on the disputed territories. At the same time, Crimea was not even included in these disputed territories. The opinion of the West is very  is rapidly changing. And, if you can formulate these changes in one word, the West stopped being afraid of Putin, stopped being afraid of his blackmail," he added.