Russian President Putin has ordered partial mobilization – triggering harsh criticism and concern in Europe. For Ukraine near the “day of truth”, say many newspapers – the press review.
On the 210th day of the war against neighboring Ukraine, the Russian President ordered a partial mobilization of his own armed forces. The Kremlin chief said in a television speech that he made this decision based on a proposal from the Defense Ministry and signed the decree. Partial mobilization will begin this Wednesday.
Putin also wants to use this to solve personnel problems at the front. At the same time, Putin announced that he would support the “referendums” in the occupied territories of Ukraine on joining Russia. This is how the press comments on Putin’s further escalation:
“Badische Zeitung” (Freiburg): “If the West wants to remain credible, it has little choice but to continue to support Kyiv militarily. Anything else would mean giving in to Putin’s nuclear blackmail. Who would then oppose Russia when land grabs are going on elsewhere? What lessons would Iran learn? or pull North Korea out of it? A world in which nuclear powers threaten World War III to advance their interests is certainly not a more peaceful one.”
“Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung” (Hannover): “It remains true that a character as dangerous as Putin is beyond the reach of reason, peace and freedom and understands only one language: resistance. The time is fast approaching when the words will be followed by controversial weapons. The NATO states continue to come under pressure to deliver Western-style main battle tanks directly to Kyiv. Chancellor Olaf Scholz never said he would not deliver Leopard 2 tanks. He just said he doesn’t go it alone. The moment the United States is ready, Germany should be there too.”
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Frankfurt): “In the struggle with Putin, the West will only remain a credible opponent if it actually continues to support Ukraine, at least to the extent it has to date. If he allows himself to be blackmailed by nuclear weapons from Putin, then he no longer needs to say anything about the rule-based world order that needs to be defended, not even to all other dictators.”
“Stuttgarter Zeitung” (Stuttgart): “Vladimir Putin has long told Russians that the world is conspiring against Russia. Now it’s about protecting the fatherland. And because the Kremlin chief is a shrewd tactician, the country’s borders are rapidly being expanded. That can catch.
“Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Munich): “For many years, which from the point of view of many Russians were quite successful, the contract with the population was that the Kremlin would deliver prosperity and stability and that the Russians would refrain from any critical or political activities worth mentioning in return. It was a pact that was never fully endorsed, but which, to the dismay of many Western observers, retained some widespread effect even after the invasion of Ukraine. This pact has now been terminated unilaterally. The illusion that war has no consequences can no longer be maintained.
Foreign press: “Putin sends his people to the slaughterhouse”
“De Standaard” (Belgium): “The question arises to what extent the West can continue to provide military and logistical support without the nuclear threat actually becoming dangerous. This nuclear shadow and the consequences of the energy crisis are slowly eroding unconditional support for Ukraine in Europe. Putin remains a murderous one War criminal. Nevertheless, consideration should be given to a “golden bridge” that would offer him what he considers an acceptable retreat. If peace talks remain diplomatically impossible, we must fear the worst in the face of uncertainty.”
“DNA” (France): “The mobilization of 300,000 reservists carries with it the seeds of an even greater collective trauma for an already battered nation. Because the already enormous number of casualties and wounded on the front lines will automatically explode once the recruits get caught in the rain of bullets. There are “There is no guarantee that the Russian people will endure this new bloodshed without a murmur. From now on, every family will be hit by this war, still disguised as “special operations”. Every household will be directly affected.”
“Tages-Anzeiger” (Switzerland): “The Kremlin can no longer recruit 300,000 men from social, ethnic or geographical fringe groups. With partial mobilization, it is bringing the Ukraine war, which many citizens consider distant, right into the heart of Russian society. And so are its supporters, who today demand more toughness from the sofa Kremlin, could quickly change camp if they and their loved ones are suddenly forced to go to war with Putin, threatening not only Ukraine but also Russia with the mobilization of the day of truth puts a card. And could lose everything.”
“The Irish Times” (Ireland): “When Putin made a nuclear threat on February 24 while his tanks rolled into Ukraine, he did so from a position of strength. It was widely expected that Russia would take control of Kyiv within days. His latest threat came through from a position of weakness. That Putin is now virtually admitting that the tide of war is turning against him will embolden Ukraine and its Western partners. But a Russian president struggling to keep his regime alive means the war is about to turn into a new one , even more dangerous phase occurs.”
“Financial Times” (UK): “The resolve of Ukraine’s Western supporters should not falter in the face of such saber-rattling, which amounts to an acknowledgment of the huge mistake Putin made in invading Ukraine. He cannot remedy this error by calling up reservists. That’s not to say, however, that its nuclear threats should be dismissed lightly: they are serious and, if mismanaged, could lead to disaster. A cornered, nuclear-armed autocrat is one who is dangerous and unpredictable – for his own people, for Ukraine and for the world.”
“Pravo” (Czech Republic): “Russia is also sending around 300,000 of its sons to go to war against Ukraine. The country must now explain to its own population why this is happening. It will not be easy even for a regime that lies in every respect and persecutes free-thinking people. “The reservists are moving into a defense operation that is being conducted on foreign territory and is said to have achieved all of its goals so far. It’s one contradiction after the other. (…) Nevertheless, the image of the so-called special operation remains unchanged in the Russian public. Around three-quarters of the people support the war and around 80 percent still trust Russian President Vladimir Putin. There is no sign of a change in power at a moment when Putin is sending his own people to the slaughterhouse.”
Source: Stern
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