Vladimir Putin over the last year has sought to achieve his goals in Ukraine – the division of that country along the Dnipro River – by diplomatic and economic means, Lt. Gen. Ihor Romanenko says. As a result, the Kremlin leader has only military options if he is to achieve that end this year.
The former chief of the Ukrainian General Staff suggests that Kyiv can be quite proud of its diplomatic successes and its moves to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies and transit, but it must recognize that Mr. Putin has not given up plans to defeat and partition Ukraine.
That means the Ukrainian government and its supporters must understand as well that Mr. Putin has only a military option, unless he is to admit defeat and suffer the consequences at home and abroad, and that Kyiv must prepare itself to resist militarily by taking all possible steps to be ready when Moscow acts.