THE KREMLIN HAS UNBLOCKED THE KERCH STRAIT. IS THAT A VICTORY?

On the night of 2 to 3 December, Russia reopened the Kerch Strait and enabled the entrance and exit of commercial vessels that go to Ukrainian ports. On December 4, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Volodymyr Omelyan declared it as a victory of joint efforts and serious statements of the Ukrainian authorities and the international community.

However, during all time of existence of Putin’s Russia the international community never could force them to retreat using only official rhetoric. It seems that the Russians have opened a passage not because of “pressure” that comes from the Ukrainian government and the international community, but simply to pursue a certain goal.

The main goal is to let Ukraine feel the illusory victory, pretend “loosening the grip” to later increase the pressure.

Irakliy Jhanashiya, expert on national security and defence of the Ukrainian Institute for the Future.

Andrii Klymenko, co-author, head of the Supervisory Board of “Maidan of Foreign Affairs”, “The Black Sea Institute Of Strategic Studies” (Kiev) and the online publication “BlackSeaNews”.

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