Cunning and confounding, an unchecked Putin charts erratic path - The Washington Times
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regional bullying and authoritarian grip on power have long triggered international concern, but the invasion of Ukraine has ratcheted fears and speculation to new heights around the questions of what Mr. Putin actually wants and how much he is willing to risk to achieve it. To a remarkable extent, U.S. and European leaders say the Russian president bears personal responsibility for the chaos and carnage befalling Ukraine — a pro-Western former Soviet republic under threat of being violently swallowed by Russia. “Putin is the aggressor,” President Biden said Thursday. “Putin chose this war.”