The West has no alternative

Russian President Putin today announced a partial mobilization, insisted on referenda in the territories Russia occupies in Ukraine, as a prelude to annexation, and threatened the West with nuclear weapons. In the wake of Ukraine’s successful offensive in the northeast region of Kharkiv, Moscow is doubling down.

No surprise, but still signficant

Putin’s speech is no surprise. He desperately needs more cannon fodder to fight in Ukraine. He has likely lost to death and injury about 75,000 troops in 7 months, more than America’s losses in both Afghanistan and Iraq over 20 years. The referenda had been scheduled previously and postponed due to the precarious military situation. Putin has previously threatened the use of nuclear weapons.

But the message is wider than any of these items. Putin is preparing to sacrifice the entire Russian army to gain a few provinces in Ukraine. He sees himself at war not only with Ukraine but with the West, which he blames for provoking him into attacking Ukraine. After months of telling the Russian people they could continue their normal lives during his Special Military Operation, now he is asking for extraordinary sacrifices.

Not much there there

A lot depends on how the Russian’s citizens react. So far, most have ignored the war, while some have fled Russia and others have urged Putin on and even volunteered for service in Ukraine. The reservists Putin is calling up may or may not appear for duty. The sanctions, which so far have caused relatively little real pain, may begin to bite. But the Russian pain threshold is high. They’ve had a lot of practice.

There is no doubt about the outcome of the referenda. Putin doesn’t believe in real choice when voting. They are nevertheless important, as once Moscow annexes the Russian occupied territories Putin will claim they are integral parts of the Russian Federation. Ukrainian attacks will therefore provoke a less “special operation” response.

The nuclear weapons threat is an empty one. Ukrainian forces aren’t concentrated in ways that would make them vulnerable to giant explosions. If nevertheless Putin proceeded, he should understand the Western response would be disproportional and devastating.

The best outcome is Russian defeat

Putin’s speech leaves the West with little alternative. Restraining the Ukrainians now would no doubt please Putin, but it wouldn’t get him withdraw. Pushing the Russians back to the February 23 lines would no longer be a satisfactory outcome. From the Western perspective, the best outcome of this dreadful war is a complete and unequivocal Russian defeat.

That is possible. The Ukrainians have shown skill and determination under extraordinarily difficult conditions. The Russian hold on Donetsk is precarious. Kherson is vulnerable.

Another major loss of territory like the blue area near Kharkiv would dramatically undermine Putin’s credibility. So too would a split in the territory the Russians control along the Sea of Azov.

Ukrainians have the initiative

Winter is coming, but there are still several months of fighting season ahead. The Ukrainians have seized the initiative. They merit wholehearted support against an enemy that calls them Nazis but itself resembles the Third Reich moving into the Sudetenland. Putin, unlike Hitler, is losing his war of aggression. That’s good. The West has no alternative but to support his opponents.