The first European Union leader to meet with Putin since the invasion of Ukraine says the Russian president 'believes he is winning the war'

4.16.22
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Russian President Vladimir Putin is fairly confident about his military campaign in Ukraine, even after Russian forces withdrew from part of the country after weeks of stagnation. Nehammer on Monday became the first European Union leader to meet with Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Saturday, Nehammer said the conversation with Putin was not "friendly" but "frank and tough." "I think he is now in his own war logic. He thinks the war is necessary for security guarantees for the Russian Federation. He doesn't trust the international community. He blames Ukrainians for genocide in the Donbas region." When asked by host Chuck Todd if Putin thought he was winning the war, Nehammer said he thinks "he believes he is winning the war."

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Rogue Valley said:

The first European Union leader to meet with Putin since the invasion of Ukraine says the Russian president 'believes he is winning the war'

Nehammer's assessment is probably correct. We don't know what battlefield intelligence Putin is receiving, or his state of mind.

But in Putin's Kremlin position, to look at the war objectively, could very well be construed as defeatism.

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Surrealistik said:

Not sure whether this is one of the most absurd displays of naked and baseless bravado I've yet seen or the dude's high on his own supply of state propaganda extra strength copium. Hilarious.

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Rogue Valley said:

The first European Union leader to meet with Putin since the invasion of Ukraine says the Russian president 'believes he is winning the war'

Nehammer's assessment is probably correct. We don't know what battlefield intelligence Putin is receiving, or his state of mind.

But in Putin's Kremlin position, to look at the war objectively, could very well be construed as defeatism.

Click to expand...

joluoto said:

I am sure his yes-men tells him everything is going splendid and exactly according to plans. Kiev by May.

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