Within a few days, his administration and the made critical moves aimed at influencing the course of the war in , ahead of his return to the White House. Movements that have caused global concern.
Russian attacks continue unabated. Moscow launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Astrakhan region on Thursday morning, targeting the Dnipro region.
Russia is trying to maximize its gains, while Biden appears to be abandoning longstanding “red lines” before Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise to end the war in 24 hours.
Ukraine already took advantage of Biden’s decision to allow Kiev to use long-range Atacms missiles for attacks inside Russian territory. As Kiev battles to hold on to its eastern territories, Biden announced he would send anti-personnel mines as part of nearly $300 million in new military aid.
The change of attitude by the US appears to have been triggered by the arrival of thousands of North Korean fighters on the front lines of the war, which Washington considers a “major escalation”, as the BBC reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, further escalated tensions by relaxing the terms of Russia’s use of nuclear weapons. According to Moscow, this move “essentially eliminates” the possibility of defeat on the battlefield.
“This change is more of a warning than a guide to action,” says Alexander Yermakov, a Russian international relations analyst. Other Russian analysts estimate that , believing he has the upper hand in Ukraine.
Russia’s biggest airstrike
The week began with Russia’s biggest airstrike in Ukraine in three months. Amid fears of new attacks on Wednesday, “Everything is connected,” says Michael Samous, head of the New Geopolitics Research Network in Ukraine. He claims that Russia has stockpiled hundreds of Iskander and Kinzhal missiles for weeks so that it can carry out strikes and thus send a psychological message ahead of the transfer of power to Washington.
Kiev, but Moscow’s message was clear. “All this is done to ensure that Russia has a strong negotiating position against Trump, so that everyone understands that Russia will not compromise and that everything depends on Zelensky,” explains Samus.
“Russia is trying to maximize its advantages in the face of Trump,” agrees Jade McGlynn of King’s College London.
However, she remains skeptical that Putin would ever accept a true peace deal, believing that his goal is the complete subjugation of Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukraine marked 1,000 days since the start of the Russian invasion, with Russian forces stepping up their offensive in eastern Ukraine.
In Moscow, the belief is that it is only a matter of time before Ukraine succumbs, according to Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. From January, however, Putin will have to take into account Trump’s moves:
“Putin should be more careful, as if he escalates further, he could jeopardize a possible deal with Trump. He will need to show more flexibility,” comments Stanovaya.
Biden’s message to the Trump camp
Biden’s decision to be on Russian soil was aimed at supporting Ukraine, but it also sent a message to the Trump camp. Trump’s National Security Adviser, Mike Walz, called the decision “another step in escalation, with unintended consequences.”
Ukraine appears determined to continue fighting, even if US military aid is reduced. Zelensky was clear in a recent interview: “If aid is cut, we will probably lose. But we will continue to fight, no matter how hard it is.”
In Russia, Putin insists that Ukraine must remain neutral for peace, even though the Ukrainian constitution provides for membership in NATO and the EU.
