Is Putin ready for real peace negotiations? No. But he can be forced.
Putin is being forced not only by the diplomatic efforts of President Trump and EU leaders, but above all by Ukrainian drones and missiles that are already flying over Moscow and blocking Crimea.
Ukraine has recently strengthened its negotiating position. It has cards and the determination.
In my opinion, yesterday a turning point in the war took place.
Perhaps we still do not fully grasp the significance of what happened.
For the first time, Putin publicly showed his weakness and inability to independently protect his capital, his parade, and himself from our strikes. Because of this, a frightened Putin was forced to publicly humiliate himself and ask Trump, as a mediator, to help stop a strike on Moscow.
De facto, Putin asked Trump to protect him from the Ukrainians.
I consider President Zelenskyy’s order a brilliant informational slap in the face and an additional public humiliation.
It is obvious that before and during the parade, Putin was physically afraid - he felt vulnerable and threatened.
Putin publicly appeared weak and humiliated, and in Russia’s "prison-style" political culture, such things are not forgiven.
A weak "tsar," mocked by everyone, cannot remain a tsar in Russia.
These are very, very hard times for Ukraine. However, Ukraine is strong, resilient, and continues the fight.
Slava Ukraini!