Putin now finds himself against the ropes, flailing in all directions against Ukraine.

 In my blog entry of 17 March 2022 I wrote that,

"Putin's formidable war machine has encountered a Ukrainian force that will not be cowed into submission, no matter what he throws at them." (blog : 17 March 2022)

Since then, the rapidly changing events of Putin's second war with Ukraine has taken the world by storm.

The pushback of Ukrainian forces on ALL fronts against Putin's war machine is taking a heavy toll on Putin's retreating Russian soldiers. 

As reported by BBC News,

"Russia continues to face fierce resistance from Ukraine, more than a month into its invasion.
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Ukrainian forces have begun attempts to retake some areas from Russia, which said this week it would scale back operations around Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv....
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It has surprised President Putin, and the world, by mounting skilled and stubborn resistance against a larger, better equipped army. Equally, Russian forces have surprised the world by being disorganised and inept. (BBC News : 1 April 2022) (my emphasis) 

Ali Velshi : MSNBC : 1 April 2022

As also reported by Alex Thompson,

"North of the city [Kiev] the wasteland of destruction towards the dormitory town of Irpin, [Russian] bodies still lying uncollected ... the scars left by Russia's retreat from Putin's now abandoned battle for Kiev, the Ukrainain capital"  (Channel 4 : YouTube : 1 April 2022) (my emphasis)

Recall that two weeks ago (March 18 2022) US President Biden warned China's President, Xi Jinping, about the consequences if he provides material support to Putin in his war with Ukraine.

As reported by REFRL,

"U.S. President Joe Biden has outlined to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, the "consequences" of any support for Russia in its war against neighboring Ukraine, the White House said.
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"He described the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians," the White House said in a statement.
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Biden also "underscored his support for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis," the statement said." (RFERL : 18 March 2022) (my emphasis)

As Ukraine's offensive against the Russia army continues to succeed, Lexi Lonas reports that,

"The Department of Defense announced on Friday the U.S. will provide Ukraine with $300 million of additional security assistance to Ukraine.
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The money is aimed to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s invasion that has been going on for more than a month.
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This package includes tactical secure communications systems, a counter-unmanned aerial system, non-standard machine guns and other defense systems." (The Hill : 1 April 2022) (my emphasis)

US President Biden is not alone in warning Xi Jinping about the consequences should he provide material support to Putin to offset his current material military losses in his war with Ukraine.

As reported by John Follain, Alberto Nardelli, and Jorge Valero,

"European Union leaders plan to tell President Xi Jinping in a summit that China will hurt its global stature if it hands Russia an economic or military lifeline, a pointed message that will test Beijing’s commitment to keep the war from damaging its ties with Brussels.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said China had a “special responsibility” to demand that Russia respect international law and to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty." (Bloomberg : 1 April 2022) (my emphasis) (video below)

Trying to hit back at EU sanctions against him, Putin is now demanding that EU purchases of Russian gas and oil must be made in roubles, which has been roundly rejected by EU members, as France 24 reports.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that all EU purchases of Russian gas must be made in roubles starting April 1, a demand immediately rejected by French and German officials who said they were preparing for a possible halt in Russian supplies. Europe will not be "blackmailed" by Putin, Germany's economy minister said." (France 24: 31 March 2022) (my emphasis)

Sky News Australia : YouTube 1 April 2022

This knee-jerk demand of Putin that payments for Russian oil and gas be made in Roubles highlights the crippling effects of the current, and escalating, sanctions against Putin's Russian economy.

However, as reported by Kate Moody (left),

"Vladimir Putin has backtracked on a demand that European customers pay for Russian natural gas imports in roubles, staving off an immediate supply problem. 

But Germany has activated the first stage of an emergency law that would pave the way for gas rationing. Officials are urging households and businesses to reduce their energy consumption, as they try to diversify their suppliers." (France 24 : 30 March 2022) (my emphasis)

In the wake of Putin's forces retreating from areas near Kiev, what has emerged is the deliberate massacre of the civilians by Russian soldiers as they fled.

 

BBC News : 3 April 2022

As reported by BBC News,

The BBC's Jeremy Bowen said at least 20 dead men, some with their wrists tied, were found on the streets of Bucha.
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Sergey Nikiforov told the BBC's Sunday Morning show: "We found people with their hands and with their legs tied up... and with shots, bullet holes, in the back of their head.
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"They were clearly civilians and they were executed. We found half-burned bodies as if somebody tried to hide their crimes but they didn't have enough time to do it properly."
(BBC News : 3 April 2022) (my emphasis) 

Liz Truss (right), UK Foreign Secretary said,

"We will not rest until those responsible for atrocities, including military commanders and individuals in the Putin regime, have faced justice,"

She said it was essential the international community continued to provide Ukraine with military and humanitarian support - and step up sanctions.
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Other nations have also condemned Russian forces' actions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the images of bodies in the streets of Bucha as a "punch in the gut".
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EU chief Charles Michel pledged further sanctions on Moscow. "Shocked by haunting images of atrocities committed by Russian army in Kyiv liberated region #BuchaMassacre," the European Council head wrote on Twitter....

Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock denounced President Putin's "uninhibited violence", saying Russia must pay for its "war crimes" in Bucha in the form of more severe sanctions." (ibid BBC News)

Like a punch drunk opponent, Putin now finds himself against the ropes, flailing in all directions against Ukraine and its people.

 (to be continued)