Would-be Ukraine peace mediators in the last 48 hours, including [Israeli] PM Naftali Bennett, were impressed by President Vladimir Putin’s determination to press on with the Ukraine war until his purpose is achieved. He was reported laying the groundwork for mass mobilization and conscription – even martial law, if necessary – to reinforce his military effort, which is still short of its objectives after 12 days of fighting.
Soaring oil prices – now hitting $139 a barrel – are providing profits for funding his war effort. [Pundita note -- as of this morning the price for Brent Crude is in the $123-124 range Oil Price Charts | Oilprice.com]
On the battlefield, while shelling targeted Ukraine towns, the Russian army has slowed its advance to regroup and take on more manpower, fuel, ammo and other supplies. They are gearing up for the next round of assaults to take Kyiv, Kharkiv and Mikolayiv. The Ukraine General Command reports a large Russian force massing west of Khrakiv – apparently ready for a broad southwestern drive towards the Dnieper River.
According to earlier reports, Moscow has recruited and deployed Syrian fighters with urban combat expertise to help take Kyiv and crush resistance.
On Sunday, Russian missile strikes destroyed the international port of Vinnytsia near Uman, a potential point of entry for military aid to Ukraine.
Putin for now appears to be intent on winning the war he launched on Ukraine and is not demonstrating any willingness to de-escalate hostilities or consider terms that would be acceptable to the West or Ukraine. Still, a Russian delegation took off for Belarus Monday, March 7, for a third round of talks with a Ukrainian delegation.
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The Russians are more than willing to talk. In addition to negotiations with a Ukranian delegation --
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Ukraine counterpart Dmytro Kuleba are scheduled to meet on Thursday at the Turkish town of Antalya. This will be the first high-level meeting between the two governments since the Russian invasion of Feb. 24.
Russian, Ukraine FMs in first meeting in Antalya - DEBKAfile March 9
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