Elite Warning
For more than two decades, Vladimir Putin’s compact with Russia’s business elite was straightforward: accumulate wealth, but leave politics to the Kremlin.
For more than two decades, Vladimir Putin’s compact with Russia’s business elite was straightforward: accumulate wealth, but leave politics to the Kremlin.
India on Tuesday conveyed to Russia its strong concern over the missile attack on commercial vessel MV Golden Leo when it was departing the port of Odisa in Ukraine in which at least four Indian nationals were killed.
A dormitory burns. A supermarket burns. An apartment block burns. This is what drones and ballistic missiles do to a capital city. Kyiv counted its damage again this morning.
The offer to let Ukraine produce Patriot interceptor missiles under licence marks more than another military commitment.
Patience is running thin at petrol pumps across Russia. Hours long queues have become routine, even in Moscow, as drone strikes chip away at the country's refining capacity.
Russia carried out an overnight missile and drone strike on Kyiv, damaging residential buildings, sparking fires and injuring medical workers after Ukraine warned of a large-scale assault.
Wars often end long before the shooting stops. They end when one side concludes it cannot win, when both sides accept the limits of military power, or when external actors impose a framework that neither can ignore.
Wars have often accelerated technological change. The machine gun altered infantry tactics, the tank transformed mobility, and air power redefined strategic reach.
Emphasising decades of strategic cooperation, Vladimir Putin highlighted defence collaboration, technology sharing and joint projects such as BrahMos while reaffirming Russia's commitment to India.
Putin said Moscow remains ready for a diplomatic settlement with Ukraine, while maintaining that any deal must reflect compromises discussed with Donald Trump.
