In an interview with ARD, Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder explains Putin's current political and military efforts. According to Heinemann-Grüder, the Russian president is primarily focused on gaining time and strengthening his position on the front lines in order to ultimately reach a fundamental solution to the conflict – a solution that is entirely tailored to his conditions.
A central point in Putin's strategy is the issue of Ukraine's neutrality. He explicitly demands that the country does not seek NATO membership and that no European troops be stationed on its territory. Moreover, he is employing a ruthless tactic by using the Ukrainian population as leverage: Putin wants to take Ukrainians as hostages in order to bring them into negotiations. This dangerous turn of events highlights how far Putin is willing to go to achieve his geopolitical goals. Heinemann-Grüder offers valuable insights into the long-term implications of this development and the possible reactions of Western states.