Putin seeks Ukraine’s surrender through terror, says Portnikov

Journalist Vitaly Portnikov said during an Espreso broadcast.

"I have repeatedly said that Putin is trying to resolve the Ukraine issue the Chechen way. Specifically, through intimidation and terror against the civilian population. This is a perfectly logical approach if you want to resolve a conflict the Chechen way. Putin says they want the war to end as soon as possible, even diplomatically—meaning Ukraine's capitulation. 

In other words, the sooner Ukraine surrenders, the better for everyone, according to Putin. That’s the logic behind his thinking. And what does it take for Ukrainians to realize the need to surrender? Constant terror against civilians, so that the population begins blaming its own government for not making the necessary diplomatic efforts to end the war," Portnikov explained.

The journalist stressed that Putin is betting heavily on the idea that terror and attacks on civilians will force Ukraine to agree to Russia’s capitulatory terms for ending the war.

"In 2019, this approach was quite effective. So why not repeat it now amid ongoing attacks on civilians? People should start realizing that when they go to sleep, they may not wake up in the morning. The only chance to wake up and keep your family alive is to accept Russia’s terms—dismantle the army, recognize the occupied territories as Russian, accept the Russian language and church. It’s better to speak Russian than not at all, right? That’s what Putin is trying to convey to Ukraine—that its place is in a peaceful Russia. This is the meaning behind all the terror and attacks on civilians today," he concluded.

• Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya stated that serious progress in a peace settlement would require a direct meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
• On June 20, the spokesperson for the Russian ruler, Dmitry Peskov, said that Moscow "has a strategic advantage" and commented on the idea of a ceasefire.