Russians Scale Back Offensive and Gives Up Some Demands: A sign of stalled effort!

 Russia has indicated that it will be pulling back some troops, refocusing efforts, and giving up a few demands for peace in upcoming negotiations. This looks like the implementation of Plan B where they seek to get out with a perceived Win. There is significant pressure on Russia that will have long term implications (i.e. losing oil markets, exposing military weaknesses, and lost world credibility). 

What does a win or loss look in this situation? If Russia gets out with splitting the nation it will be perceived a Win while neutrality guarantees will be seen as a level of success. However, the attempt to dominate the country has failed and that means a small country can thwart the advances of a large country. The perception of Russian (from the Soviet times) military power has been broken.

It can't look like a retreat it has to look like a negotiated withdrawal. The long term implications are significant for Russia despite what happens during the negotiations. Things have just changed in world perception and how exposed Europe is to Russian oil and commerce. The adjustments of Euro-US countries will be a big loss for Russia over the years.

I'm actually slightly optimistic of these negotiations (I read once something on Russian negotiation styles but can't find it as it was decades ago.). Russia has the incentive to settle disputes, reoriented their stated goals to Plan B, but also know that maintaining the fighting is going to create personal risk for Putin (in some cases the military as well.). The war has not gone as planned for Russia and they are looking to pitch a negotiated withdrawal as a type of win (BTW..who uses poison in the modern world? An attempt to put everyone on edge as a tactic? Psychological warfare maybe? 😥)

Let us wait and find out what happens. Either way our U.S. leaders should start thinking about how to innovate and advance our own nation to overcome future challenges we may face in the world and at home. To me developing the first large digital era advanced manufacturing nation that maximizes all of its human capital is important to our success. We will have to focus on democratic principles and ensuring our way of life stays strong (institutional integrity will be important here.).