In an interview with n-tv, Dr. Frank Umbach, Senior Fellow at CASSIS and Research Director of the European Cluster for Climate, Energy, and Resource Security (EUCERS), commented on the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.
Umbach believes that Vladimir Putin could declare another mobilization following the Duma elections on September 20 and increasingly pursue escalation in the coming months. Historically, Russian leaders have never survived politically after losing wars. Furthermore, a transition from a war economy to a peacetime economy, as well as the reintegration of frontline soldiers into Russian civil society, would pose major challenges for the country. Umbach emphasized the importance of further arms deliveries, particularly air defense missiles to protect Ukraine from Russian ballistic missiles. The situation regarding air defense is continuing to be concerning, especially with the coming winter months in mind.