Vladimir Putin’s visit is to Mariupol in the same week that he was indicted at the International Criminal Court for trafficking children. This comes on the heels of his Saturday visit to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of its illegal annexe.
This seems to be a display of strength, an opportunity for Putinto show his audiences back home that he is unaffected by the warrant for war crimes.
It’s not for the cameras. It’s to send a message home that it’s business as usual for him and that he can travel wherever he likes, even into Ukraine.
During the war, Russia’s president was primarily in Moscow.
Contrary to Volodymyr Zilenskyy, the Ukrainian president who frequently goes to the frontline in order to improve the morale of his troops, he hasn’t really gone to the frontlines.
Russia considers Mariupol significant because it is the only large Russian city on mainland Ukraine. It’s their only “victory” in the war of attrition.
Mariupol was also the site of horrific fighting at this time last year. There are many allegations of war crimes that Putin might have to answer for in the future.
The war is continuing, and both sides indicate that it will continue for some time.
However, Ukraine is determined to retake Mariupol from the Russians since its loss. They are not giving up on that goal.
Continue reading:
Putin is arrested for alleged war crimes
What does an arrest warrant for a Russian leader mean
The steelworks became the last outpost in the brutal struggle for Mariupol
People will be disturbed to see these photos of Putin walking around Mariupol.
They don’t care about it anyway. The country is united, they hate war but they are determined to fight on.
Putin’s arrival in Ukraine will not change the situation, but it will make them more determined to ensure that it never happens again.
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