Dette innlegget er også tilgjengelig i: Norsk bokmål Русский Українська

Putin claims that Ukraine attempted to send drones towards his palace a few days ago to kill him. The allegations came just before US President Donald Trump was due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyj have consistently denied the incident, claiming that Vladimir Putin made the allegation to put the peace talks on hold. Ukraine claims that Russia is not interested in a peace agreement. Now the EU and the CIA are also calling Russia’s claim a bluff.

A Russian bluff

Vladimir Putin has constantly tried to slow down the peace negotiations. Partly through demands that he knows Ukraine cannot accept, and partly through talking the US President around. Donald Trump has a tendency to agree with the last person he spoke to.

Independent Russian media also confirm Ukraine’s version. Among other things, they have spoken to neighbors to where the drones should have been shot down. They had not observed anything. There is also no video footage from the alleged Ukrainian attempt to hit dictator Vladimir Putin. Such videos spread quickly in social media, in this case there is none.

The reason for Russia’s bluff is obvious. Putin is not interested in any real peace. He is interested in incorporating all of Ukraine into the Russian Empire and wiping out Ukrainian culture, language and history. Since the US has a president who is weak, he would hopefully see through Moscow’s eyes and believe Russia’s accusations. Russia’s bluff has been called. So is Russia’s unwillingness to sign a peace agreement.

Time for Trump to put pressure on Putiin

The incident with Russia’s attempted bluff should wake up the White House. Until now, the US has tried to be a kind of mediator in the conflict. Trump’s dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize is perhaps the reason for all this involvement. Trump has long since taken the US from being Ukraine’s biggest supporter to one that actually supports Russia’s imperialist goals.

Through his Ukraine policy, Trump shows no willingness to defend democracies. America’s role as a leaning superpower is weakened. It is up to Trump to impose sanctions on Russia. Putin wants to annihilate Ukraine, his alleged desire for peace is a bluff. The US knows Europe’s demands.

Sources:

BBC: EU’s top diplomat rejects Russian claims of Ukrainian attack on government sites

CNN: CIA assesses Ukraine was not targeting a Putin residence in drone attack, contrary to Kremlin claim, sources say

Euro News: Russia sticks to Putin residence attack claims as allies question Moscow’s motives

Dagbladet: Dismisses Russian “evidence”: – Breaks the pattern