Murrett Quoted in Newsweek Article on Putin’s Strategy Regarding Ukraine

October 12, 2022

Newsweek

Robert B. Murrett

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy & Law

International Affairs

Russia

Ukraine

Newsweek

Robert B. Murrett

Moscow does not fully control any of the four provinces in Ukraine that Russia that Putin recently claimed are now Russian and Kyiv's forces have continued their advance in the south and east of the country. This comes as a botched partial mobilization, retreats by Russian forces and condemnation from pro-Kremlin military bloggers highlight pressure points to the war in Ukraine.

"He doesn't have many good options at this point, especially with the current posture, especially in eastern and southern Ukraine," retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, says, "his forces are being pushed back on both of those fronts really dramatically."

Murrett says he expects Putin's strategy to include looking at "the pain he will be able to inflict," on Kyiv's European partners, using energy as a weapon in the hope that "would weaken their resolve in supporting Ukraine."

Read more in the Newsweek article, "What Will Putin Do Next? Russian Leader Faces Difficult Choices."