Putin’s Threats Aim to Deter Powers From Entering War, Says Professor

In an interview with CNN This Wednesday (21), the specialist in International Politics Carlos Gustavo Poggio evaluated the announcement by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, that there will be a partial mobilization of Russian citizens to fight in the Ukraine war.

“All this to generate fear and that fear would be a way for him to prevent greater involvement of Western powers. So that is the purpose of this speech by Vladimir Putin: to dissuade eventual Western powers from placing themselves in a more expressive way in the war against Russia”, he analyzed.

Although the Russian leader’s speech generated negative reactions from the international community, Poggio’s assessment is that Putin’s announcement also demonstrates the moment of confrontation for the Kremlin. “It sounds like someone who is increasingly desperate with the progress of the war,” explained the expert.

The Russian president even mentioned the use of nuclear weapons, saying that he could use any means at his disposal in the war.

Poggio’s assessment, however, is that, based on world history, a nuclear war is an unlikely scenario.

“Historically, what we have is that leaders are rational. So Putin, for example, as much as he can show himself to be an aggressive leader, he highly values ​​the fact that he is president of Russia,” he said.

On the other hand, Putin’s decisions may depend on his fears about the outcome of the confrontation.

“It could be that eventually, if he becomes too desperate, there is also the circle of people who are with Putin. Putin is not the only person in charge in Russia. He may eventually suffer an internal blow,” the professor said.

Watch the full interview in the video above.