Kremlin exploits U.S. policy uncertainty to sway europe on ukraine
According to the latest report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin is ramping up pressure and attempting to influence Western countries to make decisions that benefit Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. Moscow is taking advantage of uncertainty regarding future U.S. policy.
16 November 2024 09:41
"The Kremlin apparently wants to exploit uncertainty about future U.S. policy regarding Ukraine and is intensifying its reflexive control campaign towards European countries," ISW assesses.
The method of "reflexive control" involves influencing recipients to elicit a desired reaction, including through manipulation and disinformation.
In this context, ISW notes the first telephone conversation in two years between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vladimir Putin.
During the conversation, Putin "repeated several Kremlin information actions, aimed at influencing the German government and other Western countries, encouraging Ukraine towards premature peace instead of providing it with military support."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assessed that it is opening a 'Pandora's box', stating that the phone conversation helps Putin achieve his goals: reducing international isolation and pushing negotiations on Russian terms, which "will lead nowhere."
Moscow is not ready to compromise
ISW summarizes that recently, Russia has intensified informational and rhetorical activities aimed at influencing the foreign policy of the future U.S. administration formed by President-elect Donald Trump.
On the other hand, Moscow emphasizes that it is not prepared to compromise, clearly indicating that its long-term goal remains Ukraine's capitulation.
