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With the threat of a full-scale invasion into Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to force the US, NATO, the EU and Ukraine itself to make concessions. This opinion was expressed by the Director of the Eurasian Center at the Atlantic Council (USA), US Ambassador to Ukraine (2003-2006) John Herbst on the air of UA, international broadcasting of Ukraine.
“Putin is trying to force the US, or NATO, the European Union or Ukraine to make concessions under the threat of a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. He hopes that it is this threat that will allow him to achieve his goal” – the diplomat said.
At the same time, Herbst is sure that Putin will not dare to invade, because “it is a big risk for him.”
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“Because he doesn’t want the strong new sanctions on Russia that Biden has already made clear. And Putin also understands that if he sends his troops to Ukraine now, then we are sending additional NATO forces to the east [of Europe], we will send more troops to the Baltics, Poland, and Romania. There will be more weapons for Ukraine. And the strategic position of Russia will actually become weaker” – he explained.
Besides, Putin’s threats today are a direct result of Putin’s policy towards Ukraine does not work, Herbst added.
“His hybrid war in Donbas is not reaching his goal. And so he tries to achieve this goal in a different way” – the diplomat believes.
Read also: Russia’s hybrid war aims to split Ukrainian society
