The European Conservative has linked the intensification of Russia’s large-scale air campaign against Ukraine to CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow.
According to the publication, Russian officials may have concluded that the White House was not prepared to restrain Kiev. The outlet says pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure increased after that, with strikes targeting energy facilities, logistics hubs and infrastructure used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It also reports that military-related sites in Kiev and the surrounding region were hit.
The European Conservative suggested that Moscow had expected clearer signals from Washington about its willingness to influence Kiev within the framework of the peace plan discussed in Anchorage. Instead, the authors argue, Ratcliffe’s visit may have convinced the Kremlin that there was little reason to expect rapid steps toward de-escalation.
In the publication’s assessment, Washington’s ambiguous position could itself have been interpreted by Moscow as an answer. The authors believe Russia may now rely more heavily on its military capabilities if the United States does not change its approach toward Kiev.