Devil’s Final Play in Ukraine

Ways to Thwart Their Efforts

Every once in a while, I try to dine with the devil to see things from their perspective, especially when the situation at the Kremlin becomes exceptionally complex. This has happened a few times before, but those occasions are dwarfed by what the Kremlin has endured from November 2024 to January 2025.

I ended my story yesterday with the following statement:

Putin appears cornered, with no attractive options for starting negotiations.

He is visibly frightened, and his exit doors are jammed.

That clearly requires me to examine the situation from the other side. We must consider what options Putin still has and what the West can do to counter them.

Option 1: North Korean Manpower

A North Korean Soldier. By Kallgan — Own work, Public Domain,

Speaking to the European Parliament in November 2024, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Vladimir Putin had brought 11,000 North Korean troops to fight Ukraine, with the potential for this number to reach 100,000.

My own assessment of the ground requirements was actually higher. Given the rate of losses…