Expert explains why Russia threatens new strikes on Ukraine and intimidates diplomats: Details

Russia is threatening new strikes on Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned them during a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and allegedly urged diplomatic missions to evacuate Kyiv. The Kremlin is trying to spread fear among Western diplomats, retired Lieutenant General and military expert Ihor Romanenko said.

According to him, Russian president Vladimir Putin is following a consistent strategy and continues using old political and military tools to increase pressure.

Romanenko pointed out that Russia utilized the military component by conducting joint nuclear exercises with Belarus. Putin is creating an additional staging ground in Belarus for hybrid, including nuclear, actions that are closing in on the borders of European countries.

The expert believes that Russia needed to first execute a massive strike on Ukraine on May 24, and then intimidate diplomats and European countries.

"During this massive strike, the residences of Albanian diplomats were damaged, and an impact occurred near the Azerbaijani embassy. Therefore, Russia uses these threats to exert further pressure on diplomats, disrupting their work," Romanenko explained.

He added that the military factor remains key for the Russians, because they do not accept any arguments other than force.