Putin Is Not Ready to Admit Defeat, and a Harsh Winter Awaits Ukraine — The Guardian
Ukraine is entering the winter season under extremely difficult conditions due to systematic Russian attacks on cities and critical infrastructure. According to Guardian columnist Simon Tisdall, Moscow may once again focus on the energy sector and water supply in an effort to cause maximum hardship for the civilian population.
According to the journalist, Russian attacks are increasingly targeting residential buildings, schools, hospitals, businesses, warehouses, and logistics facilities. Strikes on distribution centers, pharmaceutical companies, and medical facilities are already disrupting the supply of essential goods.
Tisdall predicts that this winter, Russia may once again target Ukraine’s power grid and water supply. This creates the risk of widespread disruptions to electricity and other basic services for millions of people.
“He’d rather kill everyone than admit he’s lost,” the columnist says, describing Vladimir Putin’s attitude toward the war.
At the same time, the Russian president continues to assure his partners that the so-called “special operation” is proceeding according to plan. However, Tisdall notes that Russia is suffering significant military losses while also facing economic and social problems.
The commentator also criticizes U.S. policy toward Ukraine. In his view, Washington’s inconsistency regarding arms deliveries and the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense has left Kyiv more vulnerable to massive attacks. European countries have not yet been able to fully compensate for this shortfall.
Despite war fatigue, Ukrainians, according to data cited by Tisdall, are not ready to simply give up territory. About 60% of those surveyed oppose ceding Donbas territories to Russia. At the same time, roughly the same percentage are willing to agree to a ceasefire provided there are Western security guarantees and the current front line is frozen.
Tisdall believes that protracted wars are fueled by the lack of an effective international mechanism for achieving peace. He calls for the creation of an independent group of mediators with a UN mandate that could work on agreements between the parties.
Separately, the journalist emphasizes the need for NATO to take a more active stance. In his view, Western countries cannot stand idly by while Russian strikes continue to claim the lives of civilians in Ukraine.
Source: The Guardian
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has not yet decided whether to attend the G20 summit and, consequently, whether to meet with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
As a reminder, Zelenskyy effectively proposed to the Kremlin leader that they hold a face-to-face meeting during the G20 summit in December 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to invite Russia to the G20 summit, which will take place on December 14–15, 2026, in Miami.
