Ukraine: attacks on energy infrastructure resume
Russia attacked energy facilities across Ukraine on Tuesday night, just as the country is experiencing extreme winter weather. Donald Trump had agreed a week-long ceasefire with Vladimir Putin last week, but the exact timing remained unclear. Commentators discuss Putin's current strategy ahead of the peace negotiations set to begin today in Abu Dhabi.
Ceasefire just a diversionary tactic
Putin has simply ignored Trump's request, journalist Vitaliy Portnikov writes in 24tv.ua:
“Putin disregarded Trump's request not to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the period of severe frost. This raises the question of whether Putin really ever considered any kind of energy truce. ... It could have just been that Russia wanted to amass a sufficient quantity of Kalibr and Iskander missiles and drones to launch another massive attack on Ukraine. It's quite possible that Putin even referred to this in his communication with Trump as a 'ceasefire', or as his willingness to meet the American president 'halfway'.”
A slap in Trump's face
Putin's course is irrational, The Moscow Times stresses:
“The demonstrative shelling of Ukraine's critical infrastructure is a slap in the face for Trump. Trump not only asked Putin not to attack Ukrainian cities in the bitter cold and during negotiations, but also proudly told the whole world how Putin listens to him. A slap in Trump's face in a situation that could have brought Russia a lot of dividends is irrational. There will be more frost, with cold temperatures expected throughout February. If Putin had complied with Trump's public request, he could have asked him for anything, even privately. It would have made more sense to hold back.”
Long-term calculations
Unian explains Russia's motives in its attacks on energy infrastructure:
“By attempting to destroy Ukraine's energy system, the Kremlin is not only pursuing short- and medium-term goals, namely to force Ukraine to accept peace on its terms. It also has long-term goals: it wants to ruin Ukraine's chances of rapid reconstruction with the West's support once the war ends. And it wants to instil fear in Ukrainians on a subconscious and reflexive level: 'All that matters is that the war ends!' So that Ukrainians will vote for parties that aim to normalise relations with Russia in future elections.”