Putin cornered?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visited Kiev as part of new efforts by the administration of President Joe Biden to show support for Ukraine, after the recent accumulation of Russian troops on the country's border. Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and emphasized America's commitment to this Eastern European state.
"We are monitoring the situation very, very closely and I can tell you, Mr. President, that we stand by you as strongly as our partners do," Blinken said, pointing out that although most Russian troops withdrew, "significant forces" remained.

Foto: Profimedia

Blinken's visit to Ukraine is without a doubt a calculated move of the Biden administration to the Russian deployment of almost 100.000 soldiers along the border between the two countries in April, "Business Insider" writes.
Although Putin ordered the withdrawal a few weeks later, the move drew condemnation from the international community and led to weeks of heightened tensions and fears of invasion. It was these tensions that led Biden to send U.S. diplomat to Kiev.
Blinken, who was deputy national security adviser from 2013-2015, and Deputy Secretary of State 2015-2017, is already familiar with Putin's tactics. He played an important role in the Barack Obama administration's response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Foto: Profimedia

But sending Blinken as Secretary of State to the field, sends a clear message to Putin and the Kremlin.
Many rejected Russia's move as a mere rattling of weapons, but after more than two decades of autocratic rule, Putin's political arsenal has worn out. The growing domestic opposition, led by Alexei Navalny, the weak economy and poor management of the health crisis have increased...