An expert identified Putin's minimum objective by the end of 2024: what goal the "führer" has

Russian "führer" Volodymyr Putin is determined to occupy the Donbas by the end of this year, "to have a serious position at the negotiation table." For the Kremlin, this is currently the minimum objective.

This opinion was expressed by Mykhailo Samus, Deputy Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, in an interview with "Ukrainska Pravda."

"If we imagine that by December, Putin has not occupied the entire Donetsk region, his ultimatums during any potential negotiations will appear unconvincing. So why is Putin focusing on the Pokrovsk direction? Because it is where he has had the most success so far, where the Russians have managed to break through our defense the most," the expert said.

According to Samus, if the Russian army manages to advance further in this sector of the front, the occupiers will likely deploy even more reserves there to expand this breakthrough.

"Therefore, Putin's minimum objective right now, to have a serious position at the negotiation table, is to secure the Donbas. If he achieves less, it will be a problem for him," the expert added.

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