Russia plans to seize at least Odessa and Kharkiv – Carl Bildt

Former Prime Minister of Sweden, Carl Bildt, shared insider information about Russia’s plans for Ukraine. He became aware of this after conversations with high-ranking security officials from Russia during their visit to the United Arab Emirates. His post was published on the same day that President Putin, along with an extensive delegation, toured the Middle East.

“In Dubai, I had a couple of conversations with representatives of the Russian security intelligentsia. They were obsessed with continuing the war against Ukraine. The minimum goal was described as the occupation of Odessa and Kharkiv, followed by a certain controlled regime in Kyiv,” wrote Carl Bildt on his X page.

It’s noteworthy that Russia publicly presents its objectives on Ukrainian territory in very abstract terms. They indicate the need to achieve goals for a “special military operation,” reach Ukraine’s neutrality, push back NATO borders, carry out demilitarization and denazify. However, different objectives have been voiced at different times. Putin himself stated that Odessa is a Russian city without any further explanation.