What’s going on in Vladimir Putin’s mind? That’s the million-dollar question.
Ukraine and Russia analyst Alina Polyakova doesn’t think it’s anything good.
Russia's president, she says, has put a “noose” around Ukraine with a troop build-up along the border that could spell invasion in the near term. The US has led an effort to deescalate the situation through diplomacy.
For Polyakova, the Russians have responded with nothing but aggressive language and tactics. Putin’s demands, she believes, are impossible to meet, which signals he's already made up his mind.
“They made really unrealistic demands, which signals to me they weren't interested in diplomacy in the first place, and they really had a plan for more military aggression rather than even trying the diplomatic approach.”
Watch her interview with Ian Bremmer on the upcoming episode of GZERO World.
- What would a Russian invasion of Ukraine actually look like ... ›
- Kazakhstan unrest could affect Putin's view on Ukraine - GZERO ... ›
- Russia-Ukraine: Don't expect full-on invasion, but Putin isn't bluffing ... ›
- Is Putin going to invade Ukraine? - GZERO Media ›
- Ukraine joining NATO "is the only option," says Alina Polyakova - GZERO Media ›
