Russia is making every possible effort to postpone the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She not only talks about supposedly “openness” to negotiations. The Kremlin has found a new mission for Lukashenka.
All this was analyzed at the Institute for the Study of War. In particular, the Kremlin's attempts to slow down the transfer of weapons from the allies to Ukraine were once again highlighted.
Putin worries about “internal security”
He voiced the corresponding opinion, speaking at the collegium of the Federal Security Service on February 28. In his speech, the dictator from the Kremlin emphasized the agency's role in supporting the war in Ukraine. According to him, the FSB should support the Russian armed forces and the National Guard in carrying out the tasks of the “special operation.” And one more of its tasks is to prevent the invasion of Ukrainian sabotage groups into the territory of the aggressor country.
The Institute noted that the activity of the FSB and the emphasis on the “fight against terrorism” are not accidental. According to the authors of the report, in this way the Kremlin plans to present Russia's victory in the war as necessary for the internal security of the country itself.
Russia allegedly “open” to negotiations
The Institute added that the Kremlin is allegedly trying to restart another Russian information operation. Its goal is to falsely imagine that the aggressor country is allegedly “open for negotiations.” Like, it's the collective West against it.
So, on February 28, Dmitry Peskov noted that officials in Russia were allegedly open to negotiations. Like, they are striving to end the war in Ukraine. But in this case , the West must recognize the new “territorial realities.” We are talking about the territories of our state illegally annexed since February 24, 2022.
At the same time, he noted that Ukraine would have to take into account Russia's specific goals in order to reach a negotiated settlement. This is about:
- the change of the Ukrainian government under the sauce of the so-called “denazification”;
- removing Ukraine's ability to defend itself against future Russian attacks, which the Kremlin calls “demilitarization.”
Why does Putin need Lukashenka now
The authors of the report also believe that the Kremlin can use Alexander Lukashenko. The self-proclaimed president of Belarus voiced the Kremlin’s narrative during a visit to China. Like, Russia is ready to take a step towards a peaceful settlement. And that, they say, there is a unique opportunity to stop the war until Russia puts its economy on a stronger military basis.
At the same time, he also blamed the US and the West. Like, officials refused Ukraine from negotiations with Russia. The Institute believes that the Kremlin and Lukashenka are likely to take advantage of China's 12-point peace plan . It will be adopted to resume the information campaign launched back in December 2022.
It is aimed at slowing down the transfer of weapons to Ukraine. Like, Russia is ready for negotiations, so there is no need to rush to provide tanks and other equipment. And the enemy is doing this deliberately in order to delay the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which should take place in the spring.
