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Russian President Vladimir Putin never veered from his refusal to consider a cessation of hostilities, says the writer.
PHOTO: AFP
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Ukraine’s June 1 drone strike deep inside Russian territory has left Russian officials humiliated. A nation that remains a significant global power has suddenly discovered that some of its most prized military assets – its long-range bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons – can be destroyed on the ground.
And despite being pounded by the full might of Russia’s armed forces for more than three years, Ukraine still had both the audacity and ingenuity to mount such an attack. All these are unpleasant news for Russian President Vladimir Putin, so it was not surprising that, when Ukrainian and Russian mediators met in the Turkish city of Istanbul on June 2 to discuss options for a ceasefire in their war, the talks failed in just one hour.
