Putin, where are your cards?

Another night of massive strikes, announced in the West as "revenge." Finally. After all, Putin can't help but retaliate for humiliation. He even promised Trump. Especially on the eve of "Russia Day." Now he'll show everyone who's boss.

Putin likes to say for internal propaganda purposes that "we haven’t really started yet." Sure. Losing all Soviet weapons stockpiled for World War III, crippling the economy, and losing ten times more people than the U.S. did in Vietnam — that’s “not really starting.” And it’s not just Dusya the milkmaid from Taganrog who believes this. Trump believes it too.

The truth is, Putin has no cards left. No capacity to raise the stakes. Even the second Oreshnik missile won’t reach. Whether it doesn’t exist, can’t fly, or China won’t allow it — no one knows. But the fact remains: Putin has already shown all he’s capable of.

But love is blind, and so is Trump’s faith. He can’t believe this is all there is — all of Putin’s greatness. It’s already on the table, full size, with no cards left to play.

So they keep announcing, “now comes the terrible revenge.” And the new strike happens, just like before. Maybe more drones, but fewer aircraft. For some reason…

They torment Ukrainians, but can no longer surprise. Putin’s war machine has been running at full speed for a long time. And only Trump and other American fans of Russian greatness are still surprised — those who need Russia for some deals or to counter China.

So it’s Russia that has no cards left — not even for the revenge Washington expects.

Ironically, Trump is right about one thing: Putin is taking revenge. Relentlessly, for over 10 years. Revenge because Ukraine rejected him. Revenge because Ukraine turned away from the “Russian world” and chose Europe.

War is that revenge. One big, ongoing revenge — simply because Ukraine chose to be Ukraine, not a province of an archaic empire. And Putin, like a failed lover, wants to force love by force.

But he can’t. He has no cards. And tonight, once again, he proved it.

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About the author. Serhiy Fursa, investment expert and blogger.

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog or column authors.