All that can be done is encourage Russian elites and society to face up to the reality and the limits of their power. We shouldn’t be worried about “humiliating” Putin and his henchmen on the battlefield – humiliation in Russian politics and society comes from within, centuries of not dealing with a history of repression and mass murder has produced a political culture that seethes with resentment and fear. Any eventual negotiations have to be taken from a position of Ukrainian strength, not weakness, or else they risk being another deal that gives up all the leverage to Russia, only augmenting the threat it poses. Positions are being ceded daily because of a lack of basic munitions for artillery. Allies are being slow to arm Ukraine sufficiently. When I met President Zelenskiy, together with colleagues from the Atlantic magazine a few weeks ago, his greatest fear was that the victory in the battle for Kyiv meant that too many people would think the war over when it was just shifting to a different, more deadly phase in the Donbas. Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022 because, after its 2014 invasion, Putin thought he could get away with it Ukraine must negotiate from a position of strength. 'Memory in the age of impunity', written by Peter Pomerantsev and published by Coda Story Peter Pomerantsev Winner of the European Press Prize 2022 Peter Pomerantsev Zooogical Pen-Mates Gather to Sniff, Shake Paws.

Fantasticbeasts books