Broken Promises, Power Blocs, and Declining Health
In the realm of Washington D.C., there exists a jest that poses the question: “How does one discern when Sergey Lavrov is disseminating falsehoods?” The retort to this query is quite straightforward: observe his oral movements. Discover the intense video conference where Vladimir Putin confronts military leaders over broken promises and expresses his dissatisfaction. Explore his criticism, profanity-laden remarks, and his focus on mobilization plans. Learn about Putin’s declining health, limited family interaction, and his steadfast principle of not personally signing any documents.
On Monday, a video conference took place wherein Vladimir Putin engaged with representatives from the power and military blocs. The president’s demeanor clearly reflected his dissatisfaction, which he made little effort to conceal. Following the military leadership’s reports on the situation at the front, Putin inquired about the progress made in fulfilling promises. A member of the military leadership sought clarification on the nature of these promises, provoking a torrent of criticism and insults directed at him and the military leadership as a whole. In response, the president enumerated the multitude of military promises made to him over the past year and a half. Remarkably, almost all of Putin’s recollections turned out to be empty promises, with little regard for the designated timeframes and deadlines associated with these commitments. Notably, Putin highlighted that the Donetsk region has been “liberated” for a year already, yet he characterized the situation as a “surrender of territories” rather than true liberation.
Throughout the meeting, the president consistently employed profanity while addressing the military leadership, further proceeding to cast doubt on the quality of information presented in their reports. He culminated his remarks with a pointed question: “Why the hell are you constantly lying to me?” The military personnel present attempted to justify themselves by asserting the accuracy of their data, but this only served to exacerbate the president’s anger. Promising consequences for the traitors among them, Putin promptly concluded this segment of the meeting. After a brief interlude, Putin resumed discussions exclusively with representatives of the power bloc, focusing on reports about the state of affairs within the country. He proposed exploring plans to support the security forces in mobilization efforts. Initially evasive on this matter, Putin avoided responding to suggestions for the next wave of mobilization, or offered to consider them. However, he now broached the topic himself, stressing the need for readiness by the fall. The discussion on this subject lasted approximately twenty minutes, during which the president instructed participants to generate new ideas and formulate plans, assuring them of revisiting the topic in a week’s time.
In the evening, attending physicians paid their customary visit to the president. Putin’s health continues to decline, and his interaction with family members has become increasingly limited. Contact with his adult daughters is infrequent, while he shows no inclination to engage with younger children and grandchildren. Notably, Putin maintains sporadic communication with his partner, Alina Kabaeva, despite their frequent cohabitation. It is also worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not personally signed a single document since the beginning of the year, reflecting his steadfast principle.
One individual renowned for candidly espousing the truth is the notable figure presiding over the Wagner Private Military Company, namely Prigozhin. According to Prigozhin, the majority of the Wagner fighters responsible for the capture of Bakhmut were not bestowed with any commendations by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Prigozhin asserts that a state of unrest within Russia is inevitable, as the upper echelons of leadership remain ensconced on an exalted plane, oblivious to the actual realities unfolding in the war theater. The leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as conveyed by Shoigu, has strategized to unleash a retaliatory assault upon Russian territory, including Crimea, utilizing the Himars and Storm Shadow missile systems. It is important to note that should these missiles be employed beyond the confines of the designated special operation zone, it would signify the direct involvement of the United States and Britain in the conflict. Consequently, immediate and targeted strikes on key decision-making centers within Ukraine would ensue, cautioned the minister.
Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed dictator of Belarus, seeks tactical nuclear missiles for personal security against foreign military forces, particularly from Ukraine and Poland. Surprisingly, his apprehension about intervention surpasses his fear of Putin, and there are valid reasons for this concern. Although Lukashenko possesses nuclear missiles more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they do not offer significant tactical advantages. Geographically, both Moscow and Belarus are treated as the same region for missile launches, with nuclear control centralized in the Kremlin. Lukashenko’s ability to launch missiles independently is limited, leaving him with minimal options for manipulation. Lukashenko’s primary worry revolves around the threat of external invasion. While he suppresses opposition forces within Belarus, the risk of foreign military intervention persists. Minsk hopes that the nuclear weapon received from Putin will protect Lukashenko’s regime, but this hope is unlikely to be realized.
Polish General Waldemar Skzypchak openly discusses preparations for an uprising in Belarus, supporting anti-Lukashenko groups. Polish military instructors have trained Belarusian opposition members, adding to the potential for a forceful seizure of power. Attacking one’s own cities during a domestic conflict, without an external aggressor, lacks strategic merit, highlighting the significance of trolling tactics. Regarding President Biden, the situation remains unclear. While he acknowledges Putin’s genuine nuclear threat and deems its deployment in Belarus irresponsible, the United States has not observed signs of Russia actively preparing to use nuclear weapons. It seems that Washington D.C. has embarked on a covert political endeavor directed at Belarus, with undisclosed plans concerning Lukashenko. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the situation is marked by escalating tensions.
The Pulse of Washington D.C.
