Putin faces 'very difficult choices' in Ukraine as sanctions bite, Estonia's spy chief says
Estonia's foreign intelligence chief has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing significant challenges in Ukraine due to ineffective military advances and the impact of Western sanctions. The sanctions are severely affecting Russia's economy, leading to a situation where recruitment is declining while casualties are rising. Despite these pressures, there are no signs that Russia is willing to change its objectives in the conflict.
- ▪Putin's armed forces are struggling to make significant advances in Ukraine as sanctions impact resources.
- ▪Estonia's spy chief noted that Russia is losing more men than it can recruit, complicating the situation for Putin.
- ▪The sanctions on Russia's financial sector and oil exports are severely hurting its economy, which contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter.
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Putin faces 'very difficult choices' in Ukraine as sanctions bite, Estonia's spy chief saysSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 18, 2026, 04:08 PMUpdated May 18, 2026, 04:08 PMTALLINN, May 18 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has few good options in Ukraine with his armed forces unable to advance significantly on the battlefield while Western sanctions are chipping away at his resources, Estonia's foreign intelligence chief has said.Kaupo Rosin, a top spy on NATO's eastern flank, told Reuters Russia was losing more men than it was recruiting in the fifth year of its full-scale war, and that a general mobilisation would be deeply unpopular and potentially undermine stability."All these factors together are creating a situation where some people in Russia…
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