"Russia says its focus is on eastern Ukraine, not major cities, signaling a possible shift.
Russia signaled on Friday it may be reducing its war aims, announcing that it would now focus its forces on taking more territory in eastern Ukraine and that the goals of the “first stage of the operation” had been “mainly accomplished.”
With Ukraine putting up fierce resistance and Russia having failed to seize key cities in the early days of the war, Friday’s statement from a senior general amounted to the most direct acknowledgment yet that Russia would not be able to take control of all or most of Ukraine. The plan now, the general said, was to focus on taking the eastern region known as the Donbas, where Russia has recognized the independence of two Russia-backed separatist “republics.”
From NY Times today.
If this is also Putin's aim, which it would have to be if real, it may be an ugly way out, yes, but a way out. Putin backed into a corner he sees no way out of might become the greatest asshole, and the last asshole, in world history.
Russia signaled on Friday it may be reducing its war aims, announcing that it would now focus its forces on taking more territory in eastern Ukraine and that the goals of the “first stage of the operation” had been “mainly accomplished.”
With Ukraine putting up fierce resistance and Russia having failed to seize key cities in the early days of the war, Friday’s statement from a senior general amounted to the most direct acknowledgment yet that Russia would not be able to take control of all or most of Ukraine. The plan now, the general said, was to focus on taking the eastern region known as the Donbas, where Russia has recognized the independence of two Russia-backed separatist “republics.”
From NY Times today.
If this is also Putin's aim, which it would have to be if real, it may be an ugly way out, yes, but a way out. Putin backed into a corner he sees no way out of might become the greatest asshole, and the last asshole, in world history.
I may be a professional tennis player. Or I may not. 
