Terras: Zelenski's letter exposed Putin's weakness

European Parliament member Riho Terras believes that Ukrainian President Zelenski succeeded in demonstrating Russian dictator Putin as weak through a public letter. Terras also noted that Putin's behaviour changed at the St. Petersburg economic forum, with arrogance replaced by discussion of economic matters and peace negotiation terms.

European Parliament member Riho Terras (Isamaa) assesses that the overall shift in the dynamics of the war is clearly perceptible to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski. Terras said in the ERR show "Terevisoonis" that Zelenski's public letter to Putin was strategically well-timed and an effective move that presented Russia's leader as weak before the international public.

According to Terras, Vladimir Putin himself has signalled through his behaviour that something is changing. At the St. Petersburg international economic forum, Putin abandoned his customary dominant and arrogant rhetoric and instead spoke about economic issues and the conditions under which the Ukraine war could be ended.

In Terras's assessment, such a change in Putin's manner of speaking is a noteworthy signal. When a dictator who for years has been demonstrating military force and Russia's superiority begins publicly discussing the possible terms of peace negotiations, it suggests that Russia's internal situation may not be as strong as Moscow would like to appear.