The escalating tension and conflict in Moscow, involving President Putin and marked by a considerable loss of Russian troops, may be an indication not of the leader's war strategy but his anticipation of a weak western coalition.
Many experts suggest Putin's confidence is manifesting more as a potential power play, demonstrating his belief that he can hold out against international pressure longer than the nations placing it upon him. This dynamic has been particularly amplified by recent disagreements within the United States over agreeing to provide additional aid to Ukraine.
