According to the CIA director Mr. Burns , there is no information suggesting that Vladimir Putin is disturbed or unwell.
Mr. Putin approaches his 70th birthday this year. There has been growing, unsubstantiated media speculation that he may be unwell, maybe with cancer.
William Burns, however, asserted that there was no evidence to support this and quipped that he was “too healthy.”
His remarks were made at the same time the US declared it would provide Ukraine with new long-range missiles.
Earlier, Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, hinted that Moscow’s military policy had altered as a result of the West providing Ukraine with such weapons by saying that Moscow’s military emphasis in Ukraine was no longer “just” the east.
The belief in control
As far as we can tell, President Putin is much too healthy, according to Mr. Burns. Despite the numerous health rumors that circulate.
He responded to laughter by stating that this wasn’t an official assessment of IQ.
The former ambassador to Moscow, Mr. Burns, claimed to have known and interacted with the Russian president for more than 20 years.
Mr. Putin is “a huge believer in control, intimidation, and getting even,” according to the CIA director. These characteristics have become more pronounced over the last ten years as his circle of advisors has shrunk.
“He is persuaded that it is his duty as Russia’s president to make the country once again a major power.” He feels that creating a new sphere of influence in Russia’s neighborhood is essential. Mr. Putin is unable to do so without dominating Ukraine. ”
Mr. Burns went to Moscow to warn of the catastrophic consequences of invading
In November, Mr. Burns visited Moscow to warn of the dire repercussions of invading Ukraine in light of information the US had gathered on Russia’s plans. The CIA director, though, claimed he was “more worried than when I arrived” when he departed.
According to Mr. Burns, the Russian president’s intentions were founded on “profoundly false assumptions and some genuine misconceptions, particularly about Ukraine and the determination to resist.”
Putin genuinely believes what he says. Over the years, I have overheard him quietly assert that Ukraine is not a legitimate nation.
“Well, genuine nations respond. And the Ukrainians have done just that.”
According to Mr. Burns, the US thinks that there have been around 15,000 killed and probably 45,000 injured Russians in Ukraine to date. He believed Ukrainian losses to be a little lower.
Liberation of Donbas is the main objective after failing to capture Kyiv
Russia’s present concentration of forces in the Donbas, he said, revealed that the military had discovered some difficult lessons.
In February, Russia invaded Ukraine on the false pretense that the Donbas area in eastern Ukraine’s Russian-speaking population had experienced a genocide and needed to be freed.
Five months later, Russia has taken over portions of the east and south of the nation. Although it has now declared that its primary goal is the liberation of Donbas after failing to take Kyiv as planned.
Military engagement in Ukraine may expand
According to the US, Russia is allegedly plotting to take portions of Ukraine.
But earlier on Wednesday, the Russian foreign minister made a veiled threat that Moscow’s military engagement in Ukraine may expand if the US provides long-range missiles.
Despite Mr. Lavrov’s ostensible cautions, the US said on Wednesday that it would give Ukraine new long-range missiles.
To stop the march of Russian forces, Ukraine will acquire four more modern Himars missile systems. As a result, boosting the total to 16, according to Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Olena Zelenska is the first lady of Ukraine. She requested stronger air defense systems in a speech to the US Congress. Olena says that they would “allow us to end this terror against Ukrainians. She said that the tools might ensure a “joint great victory.”
