GZERO World Clips
Putin couldn't declare victory in Ukraine - so he changed the "war" objectives
Putin Couldn’t Declare Victory in Ukraine – So He Changed the “War” Objectives | GZERO World
May 12, 2022
For Michael McFaul, Vladimir Putin's May 9 Victory speech was a "nothing burger."
But there was something in there that signals his intentions in Ukraine, the former US ambassador to Russia tells Ian Bremmer on GZERO World.
McFaul says Putin changed the "phraseology" he's been using for the last two months when referring to the Donbas, where perhaps he now knows he can't prevail.
For the first time, Putin very deliberately talked about the Donbas and other contested parts of Ukraine as being part of Russian territory — and that means Russia will try to annex them.
"That is new. That is something qualitatively different than [...] the way he's been speaking about the war so far."
From Your Site Articles
More For You
As expected, the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of Donald Trump's sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs as illegal … and almost nothing changed.
Most Popular
What's Good Wednesdays
What’s Good Wednesdays™, February 25, 2026
Sponsored posts
Small businesses at a crossroads
Chris, an Army veteran, started his Walmart journey over 25 years ago as an hourly associate. Today, he manages a Distribution Center and serves as a mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success. At Walmart, associates have the opportunity to take advantage of the pathways, perks, and pay that come with the job — with or without a college degree. In fact, more than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. Learn more about how over 130,000 associates were promoted into roles of greater responsibility and higher pay in FY25.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, Estonia’s Prime Minister, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders visit memorial to fallen Ukrainian defenders at the Independent Square on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 24, 2026.
Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS
Somewhere in the Donbas region, Ukrainian soldier Artem Bondarenko says he hasn’t slept through the night in months as he defends Eastern Ukraine.
- YouTube
In the latest episode of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping's hit wellness podcast This Authoritarian Life, we learn how positive communication patterns can break negative cycles in our relationships -- especially our relationships with Iran, Syria, Venezuela, and Cuba. #PUPPETREGIME
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.