Vladimir Putin and members of Russian Security Council© Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian presidential press service/TASS
Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times: Questions Linger Over Russia’s Endgame in Syria, Ukraine and Europe
MOSCOW — The partial truce that Russia and the United States have thrashed out in Syria capped something of a foreign policy trifecta for President Vladimir V. Putin, with the Kremlin strong-arming itself into a pivotal role in the Middle East, Ukraine floundering and the European Union developing cracks like a badly glazed pot.
Beyond what could well be a high point for Mr. Putin, however, lingering questions about Russia’s endgame arise in all three directions.
In Syria, Russia achieved its main goal of shoring up the government of President Bashar al-Assad, long the Kremlin’s foremost Arab ally. Yet its ultimate objectives remain murky, not least navigating a graceful exit from the messy conflict.
In Ukraine, Russia maintains a public commitment to put in place a year-old peace agreement. Renewed fighting in the Russian-backed breakaway regions, however, suggests that Moscow seeks to further destabilize the Kiev government, already wobbly from internal political brawling.
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WNU Editor: What is Russia's endgame? In my opinion I am seeing a work in progress .... there are basic goals and objectives with red lines .... but no strategy on how to end it and to get what you want. In short .... a foreign policy on the fly. And when I say this to my "Russian friends" .... they bristle .... but in private they do not disagree with me.