How far does Putin go in the Ukraine war?

Expert warns of "dangerous emotions"

Created: 03/06/2022Updated: 03/06/2022 2:31 p.m

By: Alina Schroeder

Russian President Vladimir Putin is aggressive in the Ukraine war.

A Russia expert talks about his supposed plans.

(Archive image) © Mikhail Klimentyev/Imago

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues the attack on Ukraine.

An expert has been observing him for years and talks about his war plans.

Kassel – A week after the start of the Russian invasion, the army in Ukraine is advancing, capturing more areas and cities.

Due to Western sanctions and the great resistance of the Ukrainian military and civilian groups, Russia's President Vladimir Putin only recently put the nuclear forces on increased alert.

But how far would Putin actually go in the Ukraine war?

The US-American Russia expert Fiona Hill has been dealing with the Russian leader for decades.

In an interview with the daily Politico, she talks about the war in Ukraine and Putin's supposed goals.

Vladimir Putin and the Ukraine war: an expert talks about the president's goal

"Sadly, we are falling back into old historical patterns that we said we would never allow again," said Hill, who has studied history for years.

According to her, these also include Western companies, which do not realize that they are pouring money into the Russian war chest, as well as politicians, who are more fixated on their own advantages and do not work together for security.

According to Hill, Putin has a big goal at the moment.

"It's about restoring Russian dominance in what Russia sees as the Russian 'empire'.

I say this specifically because the countries of the Soviet Union did not include all areas that were once part of the Russian Empire.

So that should give us food for thought. ”The Russia expert ascribes particular importance to the corona pandemic* in this context.

"I've joked about it, but I'm also seriously concerned that Putin has been in the Kremlin archives during the Covid, looking through old maps and treaties and all the different borders that Russia has had over the centuries," he said Hill.

In Ukraine he will try to go to the extreme.

However, according to Hill, it is not too late to stop Putin.

However, it is not only the task of the Ukrainians and NATO to push back Russia, but also that of ordinary Western citizens and companies.

"Ukraine has become the frontline in a struggle, not just between democracies and autocracies, but in a struggle to maintain a rules-based system where the things countries want are not taken by force," Hill said .

Every country in the world should pay special attention to this.

"He would do it": Russia expert warns of Putin's nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war

She also warned of the dangers that could loom.

After all, Putin is reacting increasingly emotionally to Western sanctions and resistance.

"These violent emotions are unhealthy and extremely dangerous because there are few controls over Putin," Hill said.

In particular, putting the nuclear forces on alert is seen as a particular threat in the West.

But does it stay that way or could nuclear weapons really be used in the Ukraine war*?

"Every time you think, 'No, he wouldn't do that, would he?'

Well, yes, he would," Hill said.

"And of course he wants us to know that." One should therefore prepare accordingly in order to be able to intervene in the event.

However, one should not lose hope.

Meanwhile, there are rumors about Putin's state of health*.

Is he possibly seriously ill?

(as) *