UKRAINE: EXPECT A LONG WAR

 

Is the tide turning against Russia in this Ukrainian war? It's possible, and The Economist certainly seems to think it is the case, but in truth it is simply too early to tell.

The end of the present winter (if not before) may set about a series of decisive military operations. In that matter, there seems to be a good chance that Russia will choose to play for time, taking its time, aiming for a long and bloody war, as long and as bloody as possible, thinking that size and wight are on its side and would eventually make the difference in the long run.

It is very possible that Russia will decide that, with time, lots of time, the winds can change direction, that the Western Europeans may grow weary of the whole thing, that the Americans may tired of the low return on their considerable financial and material investments, and that the Chinese may even decide to intervene more openly.

Such a possibility is not far fetched, the scenario is quite possible. The Russian bear is no fool, it knows that it was impatient and greedy at the start of the war, and that his foolish attitude had cost him dear. There's nothing like a bloody nose to make anyone think twice about what happened and force him to reconsider his moves.

It won't make that same mistake again.

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https://www.economist.com/the-world-ahead/2022/11/18/ukraine-has-a-fighting-chance-in-2023