"A barking dog usually does not bite": russia’s threats to fight "as long as it takes" are a bluff – military expert
Statements by the russian authorities about their readiness to fight against Ukraine "as long as it takes" are in many cases an element of political bluff. This was stated by military expert, former spokesperson of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vladyslav Selezniov in an interview with OstroV.
"In fact, in most cases we are talking specifically about a bluff, because russia often uses lies and threats to achieve certain political results. Pay attention: every time russia returns to the rhetoric of using the nuclear component, it happens against the backdrop of a lack of success on the battlefield. When there are no real achievements, they begin to threaten with those instruments they formally have at their disposal in order to force opponents into certain decisions", - Vladyslav Selezniov noted.
The expert emphasized that such statements should be perceived as an element of political pressure.
"But to threaten does not mean to get a result. A barking dog usually does not bite", - he said.
According to Vladyslav Selezniov, the russian leadership often overestimates its own capabilities, which has already repeatedly manifested itself during the war.
"Russia will never dare to act the way, for example, the United States of America is acting now: they made a decision — and captured the Venezuelan dictator Maduro; they made a decision — and destroyed the political and spiritual leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Russia only talks about its intentions and capabilities but does not take such steps. Because de facto it is not capable of implementing them", - he emphasized.