By: Nataliya Bugayova, Mason Clark,
George Barros.
Russia in Review is a weekly intelligence summary (INTSUM) produced by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). This ISW INTSUM series sheds light on key trends and developments related to the Russian government’s objectives and its efforts to secure them. Receive future Russia in Review INTSUM products via-email by signing up for the ISW mailing list.
Key Takeaway: Russian President
Vladimir Putin is using multiple ongoing crises, including the COVID-19
outbreak, to advance his strategic objectives in Ukraine without drawing
attention from the West. Ukrainian officials
agreed on March 11 to the Kremlin’s demands to consider direct discussions with
the Kremlin-controlled proxies in Donbas. This agreement for further talks
could launch an irreversible process of internationally legitimizing Russia’s
military intervention in Ukraine – one of Putin’s core objectives. These
negotiations would have major consequences for Ukraine’s sovereignty, U.S.
national security, and the international order. However, the talks remain
unsolidified and Ukraine and the West still have time to change course before
conceding legitimacy to Kremlin proxies in Donbas.
