Ukrainian strikes expose Russia's weakness amid growing pressure for compromise

Russia excels at exploiting disagreements among its adversaries. This game yields diminishing results when played from a position of weakness. Unlike Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can crisscross Europe, connecting with leaders of various persuasions and messaging his openness to talks with Russia. Zelenskyy probably finds it easier to expose Putin’s obstinacy in demanding concessions that were excessive a year ago than to mark the limits of his own flexibility. The task of drafting compromises that Ukraine would find difficult but necessary to accept is complex and delicate, but Europe cannot expect the Kremlin to produce a meaningful initiative. Putin will be loath to contemplate compromises, but in the last few weeks he has been unable to respond to Ukrainian strikes on his three most sensitive sites—St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Crimea. Putin’s bubble of delusions is repeatedly being punctured, which does not make him an agreeable partner in talks, but cutting losses in his unwinnable war against Ukraine is increasingly difficult to avoid.