Estonia spy chief says Putin faces hard choices in Ukraine
Estonia's foreign intelligence chief reports that Western sanctions and high military losses are forcing difficult decisions on President Putin. While the Russian economy contracted in the first quarter, the Kremlin maintains its long-term objective of military dominance along NATO's eastern flank.
Russia faces mounting economic and military pressure as Western sanctions and battlefield losses constrain President Vladimir Putin's strategic options. The Russian economy contracted 0.3% in the first quarter, while troop losses now exceed recruitment rates in the fifth year of the conflict. Kaupo Rosin, Estonia's foreign intelligence chief, said in an interview in Tallinn on May 18 that sanctions on the financial sector are hurting Russia's resources deeply.
