After the presidential elections in The US, scheduled for November 5, Russian leader Vladimir Putin may issue a new ultimatum to Ukraine, as one of the Russian Telegram channels claims, citing its sources.
This was reported by URA-Inform, citing Dialog.
While this information has not yet been confirmed, discussions on this possibility are reportedly already underway in the Kremlin.
“The Kremlin is discussing the format and date of the publication of a new ultimatum to Ukraine to begin the negotiation process and discuss detailed points of the peace track with the West,” the resource reported.
Sources are talking about two scenarios for the ultimatum depending on the winner of the election: one is “soft” in the event of Donald Trump's re-election, the other is “hard” if Kamala Harris comes to power.
Putin's demands allegedly include the transfer of four Ukrainian regions to the Russian Federation, demilitarization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the creation of a 200-km “buffer zone.” The Telegram channel also mentions that the increased threat of using North Korean forces and a possible escalation of the situation around Transnistria could be part of a plan to raise the stakes before the ultimatum.
What new threats Putin might use against Ukraine and the West remains unclear, given that previous attempts have had no tangible effect. Thus, the threat of bringing in a North Korean contingent will not change the situation on the front line, and has not caused concern in either Ukraine or its allies.
Nuclear blackmail, repeatedly voiced by the Russian leader, has also not weakened the West's support for Kyiv. Possible attacks on Moldova or the Baltic states also seem unlikely at this stage due to the exhaustion of the Russian army after more than two years of war in Ukraine.
Recall that it was previously reported what Putin's “victory theory” is based on: ISW revealed the dictator's plans.