The Cornered Putin Problem

Bottom Line:  As the Russian invasion of Ukraine presses into its third week, Western leaders continue to focus on the Russian President’s state of mind as an important indicator of what he may do as the battle in Ukraine continues.  The Russian mission in Ukraine is showing signs of desperation as The Financial Times reports that President Putin is now turning to one of the only countries left that supports him – China – with a request for military equipment

Russia’s uneven prosecution of the war, coupled with bracing punitive actions by the Western alliance, have created what one senior U.S. official called, “the cornered Putin problem.”  Former Canadian National Security Advisor Richard Fadden told The Cipher Brief that Putin is going to need a way out. With the campaign continuing and moving dangerously close to Poland’s border, what does U.S. Intelligence assess about Putin’s state of mind, and whether he will look for an exit in Ukraine or double down?

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