Who is now in charge in Russia?

The recent summit meeting between Chinese president Xi Jinping and US president Biden represents more that simply a friendly meeting. It represents the resumption of harmonious relations between China and the US.

In the words of president Xi Jinping (cf. video below),

"The Chinese - US relations, which is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, should be perceived, and envisioned, in a broad context of the accelerating global transformations unseen in a century. It should develop in a way that benefits our two peoples and fulfills our responsibility for human progress." (Michael A. Cohen : MSNBC : 17 November 2023) (my emphasis) 

MSNBC : 17 November 2023

What must have stuck in the craw of Putin is Xi Jinping's statement that US-China relations are, "... the most important bilateral relationship in the world".

So much for the relations between Russia and China, which Putin has so assiduously cultivated since his recent 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

 In a post summit statement US president Biden also informed us that,

"[President Xi Jinping] has been straight .... The thing that I find most assuring is that he raised, and I fully agree, that if either one of us have any concern .... a concern about anything between our nations or happening in our region, we should pick up the phone and call one another and we would take the call" (ibid  Michael A. Cohen :  video below)

 MSNBC : 17 November 2023

Adding to Putin [Pu-truschev?] angrily choking on the resumption of harmonious relations between China and the US, Alexander Butler and Andy Gregory (right) report that,

"Russia is suffering “particularly heavy losses” on the Donetsk frontline as it seeks to capture the tactically key city of Avdiivka, with fighting continuing to rage in Kupiansk and at the Dnipro River, the UK’s Ministry of Defence has said.

And Vladimir Putin has lost around a brigade’s worth of forces at the Dnipro River since Ukraine first began attacking its eastern bank, where it now claims to have secured a foothold, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War think-tank." (The Independent : 18 November 2023) (my emphasis)

Compounding Putin's anger at these losses, AP News reports that,

"Germany’s aid for Ukraine will be “massively expanded” next year, the foreign minister said Monday as Kyiv heads into its second winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
.....
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (left) said as she arrived Monday at a meeting with European Union counterparts that, even as Europe grapples with the war between Israel and Hamas, it’s still important to “face the geopolitical challenge here.” " (AP News : 13 November 2023) (my emphasis)

So whilst Putin [Pu-truschev?] may believe that the current crises in the Middle East has somewhat eclipsed international news about his war with Ukraine, Dan Peleschuk and Olena Harmash, Kylie MacLellan and Muvija M, report that,

"Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron (right), on his first trip abroad in his new role, met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv and also travelled to the southern port city of Odesa, a regular target of Russian air strikes.
....
"What I want to say by being here is that we will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support... but above all the military support that you need not just this year and next year, but however long it takes," Cameron said in a video posted by Zelenskiy's office on Thursday. (Reuters : 16 November 2023) (my emphasis)

Reuters : 16 November 2023

And as winter begins to appear on the horizon, Olena Harmash (left) reports that,

" Ukraine's state-owned Naftogaz said on Friday its gas subsidiary had discovered a 'promising' new natural gas deposit in the west of the country.

CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov said the find was another step in the oil and gas company's strategy to increase domestic production as Russia's war on Ukraine resets Kyiv's energy strategy.
.....
CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov said the find was another step in the oil and gas company's strategy to increase domestic production as Russia's war on Ukraine resets Kyiv's energy strategy." (Reuters : 17 November 2023) (my emphasis)

Which has rather put a spike in Putin's plans to yet again freeze the citizens of Ukraine during the coming winter.

As reported by Sinéad Baker (right),

"Ukraine and its allies have warned that Russia looks set to continue the tactic it adopted last winter — notably targeting Ukraine's power and water infrastructure with missiles.

That tactic killed many people and led to Ukraine setting up heating points for its citizens.

The UK's defense ministry said last month that Russia appeared to be stockpiling cruise missiles to use against Ukraine's energy infrastructure over the winter. (Business Insider : 13 November 2023) (my emphasis)

Perhaps the most telling indicator of Putin's [Pu-truschev's] fears about Ukraine's advancement against his Russian soldiers comes from the fact that,

"Three of Russia’s border regions and invaded territories, including occupied Crimea, have annulled festivities including large crowds and fireworks.

But this year festivities will be curtailed as Sergey Aksyonov, occupation ruler of Crimea, said: ‘There are no plans to hold large public events in the republic of Crimea for the New Year and Christmas.
....
‘The main priority is safety – but, of course, we will do everything necessary to create a festive mood for Crimeans.

‌’New Year holidays for children will be held in a limited format. Christmas trees will be installed and the streets will be decorated in public areas.’ (Katie Boyden : Metro : 14 November 2023) (my emphasis)

The current catastrophic failures of Putin's [Pu-truschev's] army in his war with Ukraine, together with the resumption of harmonious relations between China and the US, signals that something serious is afoot in the corridors of the Kremlin.

Which poses the question :-

"Who is now in charge in Russia?" 

UPDATE 1 : 20 November 2023

Athena Stavrou and Andy Gregory report that,

"Vladimir Putin will set out Russia’s view of the “deeply unstable world situation” in a shock G20 speech this week, the Kremlin has said, as Ukraine claimed growing numbers of Moscow’s troops were deserting the frontline in Donetsk.

Ukraine’s military has been bracing for a “third wave” of Russian assaults on the key city of Avdiivka – but a spokesperson claimed Moscow was being forced to rely increasingly on penal recruits and reservists due to its soldiers refusing to take part in casualty-heavy assaults." (The Independent : 20 November 2023) (my emphasis)

Furthermore, as reported by Haley Britzky,

"US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (right) arrived in Kyiv on Monday, in a surprise trip to Ukraine to reemphasize the US’ support for the embattled country amid other pressing challenges abroad.

“The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is the United States of America is with you,” Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We will remain with you for the long-haul. What happened here in Ukraine – that not only matters to Ukraine but it matters to the rest of the world. It certainly matters to the United States of America.” (CNN : 20 November 2023) (my emphasis)

Putin's [Pu-truschev's] sudden decision to address the world comes as James Kilner (left) reports that,

"Ukraine says it has pushed Russian forces back up to five miles (8km) from the Dnipro River after establishing bridgeheads on its eastern bank.

If confirmed, the strategic advance would be one of the most significant in recent months after little gains from either side in the war in Ukraine.

Kyiv says its forces are now battling for control of three Russian-occupied villages south of the river.

A win there would not only be an important military breakthrough but also offer an important morale-boost ahead of winter." (The Telegraph : 19 November 2023) (my emphasis)

Putin [Pu-truschev]  now seems finally to be slowly raising the flag of surrender under the devastating advances of the Ukraine's armed forces.

 

(to be continued)