Putin knows he’s in trouble. It’s time to kick him while he’s down

Key Points:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that Russia is facing significant setbacks in its war against Ukraine, including fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian drone strikes and damage to critical infrastructure such as oil refineries and bridges.
• Putin has issued a call to resume peace negotiations based on prior agreements, but these overtures are seen as desperate given Ukraine's recent military gains and Russia's logistical challenges, including closed airports and waning public support.
• Kremlin officials accuse the US, particularly under President Biden, of abandoning previous understandings made during the Anchorage summit, while also criticizing former President Trump’s inconsistent support for Russia amid ongoing conflicts.
• Ukraine’s intensified attacks on Russian-occupied Crimea and other territories have caused fuel shortages and disruptions, highlighting Russia’s weakening hold on occupied regions and the deteriorating situation for Moscow’s forces.
• The conflict is straining Russia internally, with potential risks of unrest in various Russian republics supplying troops, and Western allies face the strategic choice to either freeze the conflict or support Ukraine in decisively breaking Russia’s military logistics and weakening Kremlin control.