A source of the American edition the Wall Street Journal, who is an American high-ranking official, says after Russia failed to win an early victory in Ukraine, it changed its strategy and moved to Plan B.
Under the new strategy, Russia will try to protect the acquired territorial objects and increase pressure on the Ukrainian authorities, including by bombing cities, to pursue their own interests.
The source says Putin wants Ukraine to recognize Moscow’s claims in the southern and eastern parts of the country, which will allow it to create a land corridor to connect with the occupied Crimea.
If Putin’s demands are not met, Russia will try to retain all the occupied territories and further escalate the conflict, the source told WSJ.
The war in Ukraine has been going on for 27 days.
It was initially thought that Russia’s interest was to change the Ukrainian government and form a satellite government, thus putting the country under heavy political, economic, and military influence or control from Russia.
Source: WSJ
