The Telegraph: Putin's End Is Closer Than He Realizes
20- 18.10.2025, 14:27
- 26,288
Russia is rapidly exhausting its resources.
US President Donald Trump is finally fighting back against the failing Russian regime and paving the way for what few expected a few weeks ago: an early end to the war in Ukraine. Geopolitical strategist Mark Brolin writes about this for The Telegraph.
"Trump's reversal has two parts. First, he has made it clear that Europe must stop living off American taxpayers and take primary responsibility for its own security. This has been long overdue," the author of the piece emphasized.
Brolin said that for a generation, European governments have relied on US money, even as European energy companies continued to buy Russian oil.
"Trump was ridiculed for saying this during his first term and insisting that NATO members meet their spending commitments. No one is laughing now," the columnist noted.
Second, the strategist believes Trump has abandoned the cold-war idea that Russia is so dangerous that World War III must be avoided.
"Russia is a weak, unstable, rapidly declining state whose sphere of influence has been steadily shrinking for decades. The invasion of Ukraine was intended to halt the decline, but it has only accelerated it. The lands seized at great cost do not compensate for the collapse of Russian influence in Central Asia, the Middle East and the rest of Europe," Brolin analyzed.
The American leader also talked about supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles. His meeting with Zelensky at the White House showed that the US president probably needs to be persuaded, but it is important that he recognized the possibility of supplying these missiles, the author of the material added.
"With the appearance of Tomahawks in the conversation, the more serious risk of escalation is finally where it should be: against Russia, not Ukraine. The Kremlin's bluff has been exposed. The sound is not the roar of a bear, but a flinch - and, one would assume, a nervous rustling in the corridors of Russian power," emphasized The Telegraph columnist.
Brolin said this is a factor that much of Europe still does not understand. For years, it has been believed that Russian Federation is so strong that only the US can contain it. However, the truth is that Russia is so systemically weak that moral clarity, targeted pressure and support for Ukraine's asymmetric strengths can change both the battlefield and Russian policy.
"Ironically, Washington has sobered up faster than Europe, which still depends on its old alibis," the author added.
Strateg noted that energy is now a test of strength for Europe. It is known that the EU banned offshore supplies of Russian oil in 2022, but left exceptions for pipelines, which Hungary and Slovakia still use.
"Even in 2025, several EU states increased their purchases of Russian energy (LNG) compared to 2024. France's imports rose, as did those of the Netherlands and Belgium. Hungary and Slovakia remained large buyers of oil and pipeline gas. Europe has publicly expressed moral condemnations, privately rationalized its actions, and outrageously helped supplement the Kremlin's military budget," Brolin recalled.
The columnist believes Europe must stop making excuses for its failure, rebuild its weapons base, and most importantly, end the energy "hypocrisis."
"The Hungarian and Slovak oil exemptions cannot be permanent. France and other countries that buy Russian gas need to explain how the Kremlin's financing today fits with their rhetoric about liberating Ukraine. Match words with actions, and Putin's options shrink further. He is already exhausting his resources faster than many realize," the expert assured.
The author of the publication summarized:
"Wars never end with clear, flawless narratives. They end when they run out of ammunition, soldiers and money. Hamas has realized that. Putin will soon realize it, too."
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