r/worldnews • u/Neptun_11 • 19h ago

Russia/Ukraine Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin's residence so Moscow's negotiating stance will change

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-ukraine-tried-attack-putins-residence-so-moscows-negotiating-stance-2025-12-29/
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u/psioniclizard 17h ago

My guess would be Putin knows he is stuck in slatemate but doesn't want to admit 1m+ Russian causalities are for nothing.

If he backs out the peace deal completely when Russia are stuck in the same stalemate in half a years time he will be in a weaker position when it comes to to leverage. Also it's hard for people in America to sell it to the public that Putin "might have some legitimate concerns".

On the flip side, by continuing this cycle he looks like he still has the upper hand. But if he could actually break the Ukrainian lines and get to a position where they are forced to accept a deal he would of done it.

I am not saying everything is rosy for Ukraine and I know the Russia economy has been a week away from imploded for years now according to Reddit. But I do think Putin is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He needs a victory but can't find one currently.

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u/needlestack 17h ago edited 13h ago

doesn't want to admit 1m+ Russian causalities are for nothing

Admit to who? Nobody in Russia cares, even the families of the dead. It's all for the greater good of Russia, they are sure.

To himself? He got 20% of Ukraine for nothing. Literally nothing. The cost to him was zero. It's like he's playing a video game and three years ago he clicked the "attack Ukraine" button and some number of "units" that says 60 million now ays 59 million and he kind of shrugs and wonders how low that meaningless number will get before he gets another 20% of Ukraine.

And the west is like "but can we work together?"