Originally Posted by
dead_pan
I still reckon Putin is lining up for some kind of "mission accomplished" BS withdrawal from at least some of the occupied territories. The mood music at last weeks meeting in Kazakhstan strongly suggests his "allies" are getting heartily fed up with the whole enterprise and wish him to conclude something quickly.
He can declare what he wants but nobody else is obliged to take any notice. I doubt whether Ukraine would accept it and it would be no basis for the removal of sanctions. Putin needs to be forced to understand that he has gambled and lost.