Ben Sills

My interpretation is that this is the step before the step.

This is about preparing the ground, about showing Russia, about showing the U.S.

and Ukraine's other allies that Zelensky is feeling strong.

And it's about tapping into the weakness that she sees in Putin and the concerns of the other members of the Russian elite to increase the pressure on Putin with a view to

perhaps one, two, three steps down the road in terms of diplomatic maneuvering, get into a position where they might be able to undertake talks.

This is not a letter which is going to persuade Putin to come to the negotiating table.

The tone of it is so incredibly assertive.

I read it last night when it dropped, and I was really quite struck by just how self-confident Zelensky sounds and how he's talking down to Putin.

He's talking about how his drones hit St.

Petersburg yesterday, the day before Putin turns up.

He's threatening to hit other Russian targets deep inside Russia.

He's saying that he knows Putin is afraid of Ukraine's military potential.

So that's no way to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

This is not a letter which is going to persuade Putin to come to the negotiating table.

The tone of it is so incredibly assertive.

I read it last night when it dropped and I was really quite struck by just how self-confident Zelensky sounds and how he's talking down to Putin.

He's talking about how his drones hit St.

Petersburg yesterday, the day before Putin turns up.

He's threatening to hit other Russian targets deep inside Russia.

He's saying that he knows Putin is afraid of Ukraine's military potential.