Gen. Jack Keane on Russia-Ukraine War, Putin's Tactics, and Iran Sanctions

Russia's Escalation and Broken Promises

• 🇷🇺 Russia launched a devastating attack on Kyiv with nearly 600 drones and over 30 missiles, resulting in 21 deaths, including four children.
• 🎯 This attack suggests Putin's intentions are not to end the war, despite recent diplomatic efforts.
• 💡 The negotiations, which seemed promising after the Alaska summit and subsequent White House meetings, have been undermined by Putin's actions.
• 🤝 Putin has reneged on key points, including meeting with Zelensky and providing security guarantees, by demanding no Western troops in Ukraine.

Diplomatic Frustration and War Tactics

• 🇺🇸 President Biden is likely frustrated by Putin's immediate reversal of concessions made during diplomatic talks.
• 📈 Putin's strategy appears to be escalating the war against civilians to pressure Zelensky, while simultaneously talking peace.
• 💔 This tactic of making concessions and then immediately walking them back is seen as a way to stall the peace process.

European Sanctions on Iran

• 🇪🇺 European allies are stepping up by implementing a snapback plan for sanctions originally lifted on Iran.
• 🇺🇸 The US appreciates this leadership and remains open to direct engagement with Iran regarding its nuclear program.
• 🚫 The snapback sanctions, part of the 2015 nuclear deal, would automatically trigger an arms embargo, a ban on enriched uranium, and an embargo on ballistic missiles.
• ⏳ The ball is now in Iran's court to decide whether to return to negotiations or reject the sanctions.