A view from Moscow: Ukraine war will get worse | The Bottom Line
The war in Ukraine is not going as planned for Russia, and Ukraine currently has the upper hand on the ground. Under these circumstances, experts say there is no way Russia will seek to end the fighting.
In a wide-ranging conversation with host Steve Clemons, Andrey Kortunov, one of Russia’s foremost political scientists, paints a bleak picture of the Ukraine war.
Kortunov says the real issue Russia is grappling with is: does it want long-term isolation from the West, or compromise and reintegration? Everything else falls into place depending on the outcome of that fateful decision.
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The interviewer did an excellent job by not interrupting the interviewee.
Totally agree!
Russia is intended to fall, alongside Chinese, Iran and North Korea and others siding Russian actions on Ukrainian. A clear hatred to Joseph, Jacob second to last born.
I think the enterviewee is very careful to answered questions because of fear for his own life. Good he's wise because I won't do better.
Also agree , nice change to see and interview without constant interruptions.
One of the main reasons I quit watching TV... next is 30 seconds max answers before... cutting in with time constraints comments
That was one of the best conversations I've heard yet throughout this war. A real expert from the Russian side. I hope they don't kill him for it.
America, home of slavery and cowardice!!!
That is the dilemma of interviewing someone who is still in Russia. More insight but less freedom to be candid.
@@goodgame3374 Yah, just look at the USA Jan 6th "insurectionists" - another example of "freedom to be candid"????
@@Hank520Tubestorming a building with weapons & body armour, resulting in the death of police is not "candid", it's a crime in any language. And if you want to claim the election was rigged nobody is going to stop you. You'll be full of 💩, but you won't be found dead under a broken window for expressing your opinion, no matter how asinine it makes you sound
@@Hank520Tube it wasn't an "insurrection"...it was an insurrection...
What a beautiful work of professionals, it's a pleasure to see a neutral position of intervier who is willing to hear out the guest no matter what kind of ideas he has himself, without emotions and any kind of narrative to push! Bravo 👏
+1
This summarized everything in such a neat way. I have more understanding of wth is going on over there. Great interview. Geopolitics is a trip
Superb and insightful interview. Thank you Andrey Kortunov and Steve Clemons.
The best answer and analysis so far. Very well done 👍
A well spoken, informed guest who clearly has a solid understanding of the problems at hand. I found him to be objective and can only lament that more dialogues of this nature don't take place. Thanks to Steve and his channel.
Douglas MacGregor is one of the finest no doubt.
We are at a point where saving face is an issue and no one seems to be addressing that. I wish unrealisticly that "We could all get along". Russia is so huge, so beautiful as is every country on Earth and if I were able, I would love to visit them all. I was a truck driver here in the U.S. and Canada and EVERY place I traveled to had it's own beauty and local pride, it would be nice to have good relationships the world over!
Your take is beautiful, sensible. For that reason, it will not succeed. Because greed and self-interest are number one.
Wise words
This war wrong but .. Ukraine was treating ethnic Russians bad earlier
@@emanuelgaldes3515 No. I don't agree, although your comment made me smile. Remember, Truth always triumphs. Ancient Sanskrit wisdom: Satyamev Jayati.
@@mrj8940 - If those ethnic Russians wanted to live in Russia then they can move a few miles to the east and do so, they don’t get to decide a nations borders, that’s not how it’s done and they formed militias and fought for independence - of course the Ukraine military fought them, it was a war what did you expect? How about all those ethnic Russians who were killing Ukrainians & stealing their property and land, no sympathy for them?
Excellent interview especially the end. Congratulations
Saying that poorly trained badly equipped soldiers thrown into a meat grinder of a war will make a difference is magical thinking
Who says they are badly trained and equipped soldiers, these are reservists who already had basic military training unlike the Ukrainians, for many of them it's not their first war
@@dannyjanssens8985 many of them have never had any military training at all. The conscription system in Russia is very haphazard versus what is was during the soviet Union and regions are given quotas of men required for conscription and anyone caught in the system will be sent forward. Russian minority peoples are targeted more and not every man goes through conscription, the mobilization has targeted people that are not conscriptits or take into account fitness/health standards.
@@dannyjanssens8985 Ukraine had problems for months after it declared mobilization. They have had half a year to fix their problems and still have more volunteers than they are capable of absorbing. Russia has already used up its volunteers and is force conscription people. So comparatively the new conscripts are closer to the Dpr troops than professional troops.
@@arcticwulf5796 not conscripts reservists so people who served already in the army
Western woke media feeding this kinda information 😆
This is exactly what I wanted to see/hear! It's very interesting and important to hear
This is what we need!! More objective discussions with BOTH points of view. Great job everyone. 👏
This was horrible reporting. It sounds like all Russian propaganda.
They never ysed the words war or invasion. He calls it operation. That’s a complete lie.
How so? What parts? I'm honestly curious. Please refrain from using nothing answers like the entire thing. I didn't see it but perhaps you saw something I didn't.
Not sure I will go as far as saying it was Russian propaganda, but in the summary it was stated that Russia invaded to ensure its security. There are several other justifications coming out of Russia, with the one of protecting itself only coming after the west supported Ukrainian resistance. And by only mentioning this, it gives legitimacy to Russia, so sort of propaganda.
@@AR-rn8ok Very dispassionate and logical. Without hysteria and useless emotion. Very balanced, thoughtful and fair comments Russian. Good interviewer.
An excellent discussion. The topics discussed were first rate and the guest spoke eloquently .
What l don’t understand why USA is forcing other countries like India , Türkiye to be an enemy of Russia in order to be friends of USA ? It’s none sense . Western hypocrisy is killing the west
Great interview. We need more of this.
This guy is so sincere and accurate, thanks for your analysis
Phenomenal reporting. Honest, direct, no spin. Steve is the master. Sláva Ukrayín
Slava
ua is the most cruel country in the world Hutu are babies compared to ua
Just because a country is weaker does not mean it needs to be over run by its neighbor.
You mean like the way Iraqi Afghanistan, Libya, etc were over ran!
Like Hawaii 👍
@@timetraveller885 no lol
Absolutely, u me and the rest of the world can all agree on that
The people of Iraq and Afghanistan agree.
Never saw Steve Clemons before. New fan!
Excellent information. Good job.
Such a great conversation. Very educational and inspiring! Thanks.
Excellent interview. We need more intelligent 360 degree perspectives and dialogue such as this.
Ukraina always number one
Would you go to a prison to get the side of a proven serial killer? Do think the killers feelings should be taken into account?
The analysis of your guest is on point and not tainted with bias. Balanced view to me .
For the most part very true but when he stated that the West has considered Russia its enemy going way back he's not being honest. I'm old enough to remember when we truly thought after Yeltsin was in office that Rush was finally ready to join the world by easing into freedom for their own people and a little more in the way of democracy. Putin came on the scene and shrieked and screamed about how evil America was at the point in time we were ready to open the doors and work with them. So honestly the animosity towards Russia as it stands now is solely because of Putin and nothing else and does not qualify as long-term animosity
@@apathyguy8338 Yes, the west really liked Yeltsin the alcoholic. And the term " bringing Democracy to a country" is like "We come in peace"
@@apathyguy8338 of course why wouldn't the west love Yeltsin. You love Russia when it's in she's in pain
Great conversation!
This guy definitely speaks in a articulate manner, almost like skipping a rock over the Russian mandate. Very good interview
This was a refreshing and mature minded interview.
Good day Andrey Russia doesn't need think tank as long as you there. You are very realistic, all you said is perfectly true. Elegantly chosen words and carefully spoken, you are the right person representing the facts many others don't see. Please let your voice to be heard.
Well done AJ! Very good interview! I really appreciate the insightful perspective of your guest, Mr. Kortunov.
Excellent interview .. well stated issues .. very very complex.
What an excellent topic to discussed. I wish they are more professionalism like them.
Fantastic interview! Well done AJ! This is what's missing on the mainstream media. Civil discussion with reasonable people on the 'other side'.
Watch RT TV and see the reasonable people in full force.
@@markfoth1226 na that's propaganda
@@markfoth1226 Watching RT is akin to watching CNN - they both have obvious agendas and are propaganda by all measures. What about this interview was not to your liking? I don't support Putin in this campaign, but I don't have any major disputes with anything he said here. Do you? That said, I have seen Andrey Kurtanov in other forums - usually pitted against Western military analysts or "commentators" - and he's been a little more aggressive, let's say. But we all behave differently depending on the situation, and I understood why he was frustrated by the people in those panels. This seemed honest and measured enough, imho. Take heed, would be my advice - it's a far more honest analysis than you're likely to see anytime soon
@@markfoth1226 🤣
BS is flooding out. Well, I can agree that I’ve seen worse
Excellent interview - original and relevant questions
Amazing interview. We need balanced and third person view on subjects free from anyones clear agenda
Great discussion.
only watched the 1st 8 mins. But what an intelligent, articulate and honest russian analyst. Unfortunately he obviously has no political power or influence over the russian government or people!
the entire interview was great I learned a lot on this!
Excellent points were discussed. I believe answers were genuine and not taking side.
is the guest joining in from a sauna ??
🤣🤣🤣🤣
🤣
😄
😂 or a dacha ( country house)
No. He was in a barber shop and the barber left him unfinished.
Great insight and discussion.
Excellent insights . Excellent interview , congrats.
Excellent interview.
Excellent video Steve and Andrey. Andrey has made some great points and explained many things very well. Thank you Andrey, you are very knowledgeable.
A very good interview and insightful information from Moscow.
Insight and journalism on a next level.
Excellent interview...Andrey was superb and so was Steve...allowing Andrey to give long answers, rather than the short bits
Agree ! CNN would have interrupted his every few minutes 😡
Finally! Refreshing to hear news sharing views from both sides.
Russian soldiers: We need more vodka!
Without proper logistics, it won't matter hiw many soldiers that Russia is willing to throw into the battle, they won't be able to support them... it seems, indeed, that they can't support the soldiers in place, now.
Logistics? LOL. And what about ---> weapons X'D
@@VFella 🤡 Weapons and ammunition resupply are a part of logistics.
On what factual basis do you make these claims.
What will be the collateral to have new weapons that worth billions of dollars are you saying they are just given free by the west. They just gave and gave without taking. Do you believe there are no risks on it. If the war ends in Ukraine wins. How much money they needed to pay.
Winter will not be their friend!
Happy Birthday, Brother Vlad!! It truly is a day to celebrate!!
OMG. Fantastic interview.!!
Very interesting interview.
Great interview, nothing worse than having the guest always interupted by the person giving the interview. The interviewer did an excellent job.
This is a solid show
That's an excellent journalism. I miss as a German something like the approach of a neutral point of view in my western media today very much. Thank You, Al Jazeera and keep on your good working.
I actually think that Deutsche Welle also does a good job.
@@rogerwilco2 naaa… they don’t
Very insightful interview! Thank you gentlemen for the clarity and focus of questions and explicitly detailed answers.
The most insightful and articulate treatment of this topic I have seen. Well done.
One of the best interviews I have seen yet.
Excellent and interesting interview.
Interesting perspective and a good interview. I'm very pro-Ukraine but I hope to see him back on to give his considered analysis from Moscow again.
I couldn't agree more. Its obvious as to which side of the fence he sits. But his perspective was balanced and thoughtful.
The issue is proxy. The west is pushing Putin instead of ending the war.
Same
"probably this is not the end of the world" . Way more likely not to be the end of the world would be if the Russian army admits their invasion of Ukraine is failed and go back to Russia.
,RUSSIA WILL USE THE MOST ADVANCED WEAPONRY NOW WHICH IS DECADES AHEAD OF THE WEST. ODESSA WILL BE TAKEN TOO NOW TURNING UKRAINE INTO A LANDLOCKED COUNTRY
This is the only Russian official I can bear with in interviews. He is at least careful with his choice of words and somehow considerate.
Is it different in the West? Who is careful with words there? I can only think of Urban and Erdogan
Every Russian who has spoken has been careful with his/her choice of words and considerate of other perpectives (Putin, Lavrov, Zakharova, Peskov). It seems to be an admirable national characteristic. What a contrast with the double speak, evasion and outright lies we accept as normal in the west.
@@kubhlaikhan2015 so...calling people scums on live TV, cursing at Zelensky in the UN meeting, saying that Ukraine bombed their own hospital and blamed Russia, threatening nuclear attack on London and then complaining about not being invite to the Queen's funeral, claiming they are fighting for God/Orthodoxy, "everything is going according to plan, Russia has lost nothing", looting, raping, torturing, mass murdering, land grabbing and then calling it liberation...and many other examples...so those are not double speak, evasion, or outright lies? What news have you been watching? TASS? RT? Here is my reply to you, with very careful consideration of words: "F*** OFF."
@@kubhlaikhan2015 "we"? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡
@@kubhlaikhan2015 lol
Very well done interview.
Tremendous interview. Very interesting.
This is the most balanced and practical reporting that I have came across for months.
So if the minority are rich and educated that leaves a majority of non educated poor people that is why they don't know their is a war going on
Maybe it's time to break the power grid, no electricity no cameras no government
Basically I will follow the party line due to my fear of heights and windows.
But the.way this man freely and openly expresses his views all of the rehortic of western tv channels about Russia being an authoritative state under a dictator seems to be hollow and without any substance.
@@rdsc.455 Oh really? Go speak with any of the Russians who protested against this war on whether Putin is a dictator, or whether Russia is an authoritarian state. That is, if their prison guards will allow you to speak with any of them, since they each are now serving a 10-year sentence - just for speaking out against Putin's invasion of Ukraine - or for using the word "war" rather than "special military operation." How naive can you possibly be?
@@hiturbine Same is the situation in Ukraine since last few years,main opposition leader under detention, opposition parties sides tv channels under ban, no man of age from 17-55 leave the country, hundreds arrested on Moldovan,Romanian and other borders while escaping by paying amount equivalent to 7-10 thousands dollars to smugglers, all criminals ready to take part in war released and armed.Situations are same on both side of border as culture is one and same, difference is their projection in different way by all of the western tv channels and media.
@@rdsc.455 But you were comparing them to Western channels, not Ukraine
Excellent interview
This is a very intelligent man, really good insight.
Bottom line! Really wondering to see that some people are still sober and clear minded out there
This is what I would call a civilized Russian with objective points of view. I wish and hope there are more like him out there.
There are a very, very many. However, you'll never see them on Western media.
If there were more civilized people in Washington and London, this war would never have started in 2014
Well articulated points a man of great knowledge Andre Kortunov 👍🏾
Did anyone else realise that aljazeera is much more objective and professional than CNN or BBC !
It takes a lot of maturity to open-mindedly listen to both sides.
Very enlightening . Well done .
Respect! He summed it up crystal clear 👍👍👍 This is called intellectual analysis 👍
Russia's demographic situation was already far from desirable; between the losses on the battlefields in UKR and the numbers of young people who have left Russia since the 2022 invasion began (let alone since the mobilization started) they are speeding up their own extinction. The can't forcibly deport enough Ukrainians to make up these losses, but that won't stop them from trying.
On the other hand, according to what I've read most of the young Russians pulled into the war seem to be from everywhere BUT "central" Russia, where Putin draws his powerbase from. Pulling a lot of young, combat-capable men from minorities and places that might form an organized threat to him in his own backyard, and making sure that only the young men FROM the cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg etc remain behind to fill in the gaps... well, it WILL probably lessen the cohesian of the Russian empire and hasten it's collapse, but hey- that's at LEAST five-ten years away from now, so that's a problem for tomorrow's Putin :) You know, now that I actually look at the other hand it still doesn't look very good for him...
Untrained, unwilling, poorly equipped walking targets will eat up Russian food, shoot up Russian ammo, and then surrender or run away at the first fight.
@@KaiserS0ZE You wish...lol
@@007furious sorry facts hurt you in the vag
Excellent example of Russia's demographics issues: as the interviewee stated: "the middle class are a minority" This is a maaaajor problem for any country. He basically confirms that the majority of people are too poor to go shopping. That's tragic. It could really have been so different.
Andre Kortuna one of smartest Russians I have ever heard, clear and on point, very good interview 👍
Very good analysis!
He is holding his tongue because he lives in 8th floor and there are windows and balcony 😁
Good interview! I think it's likely the Ukrainian Government knew that their NATO application would be met with mixed reactions across the Alliance. In my opinion, it was to draw the line in the sand that Ukraine fundamentally rejects Russia on a military, political and societal level.
As is their right as a sovereign nation...
@@ronevans6958 And Putin can't have a functioning democratic society next door, free of corruption. How would he be able to continue his power over his own people if they caught a glimpse of what real freedom looked like?
Yes a line is definitely being drawn in the sand between Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. If Russia loses, which looks more likely and I hope it does, Belarus (Which may go Westward if Russia's grip slackens) better watch its back as Ukraine will have a rather large and capable Army on its doorstep!?!
@@thomasherrin6798 See what happens in the near future, it's began already it's impossible for Ukraine to win on there own if NATO declare war on Russia this will bring about a global war which will see NATO defeated unless it turns nuclear then every one will be defeated .
Excellent discussion.
Very good interview. Thank you
One of the best analysis of the Russian side I’ve heard
Very sober assessment. Last point made is the important point. The world is moving towards a more integrated state, despite our obvious differences. We have to come to terms with our differences and learn to live together. Nature operates this way, but it doesn’t seem like to us humans. Nature accepts it naturally, humans have to work towards it consciously. 😢
Nature is violent, "red in tooth and claw" as the saying goes. Everything eats something else until you get down to photosynthesis or up to apex predators. Nature, therefore, may be said to be "in balance," eat too much of your food supply and prosper briefly, but then starve. Apex predators are kept in check by the availability of food as well as territorial conflict when food becomes scarce. Humans fight over stupid things (pride, prejudice and principle). Animals fight just to live.
you are very right about this. I totally agree with your sentiment.
He still could not saw (war) or the invasion should not have happened? wonder why, Stalin/Putin
LAVROV needs Schooling in COEXISTENCE of civilizations.
I may hope that this dystopic, "integrated" world never will be established.
good stuff, useful - thanks
Yes I like that Andrey was not enterupted by interviewer and was so nice to get information from Russia side thanks
Thank you so very much Al Jazeera and mr. Kortunov for such a excellent interview. By far the most objective analysis I have heard since this crisis started. We need more people like mr. Kortunov on both sides.
No one wins in a war so a peaceful solution better be reached. Personal & common interest should be in harmony in order to succeed.
A lot of common sense is spoken during this programme. Thank you
Excellent Interview
A balanced, cogent and articulate discussion. Like a breath of fresh air, thank you.
Thank you AL.Jazeera for this impartial analysis.Keep it up.🙌
Zelensky is on life support system by the West ,wow this man from Russia make a crystal clear he really nailed it !!!
He was telling what the official Russian narrative is
God bless Andre kortunov for fair, sincere and truthful analysis. he's the best Analyst of all time since the conflicts began.
A very insightful interview. It's too bad Russia doesn't have people like Andre in leadership because if they did this conflict might not happened at all. The most revelatory observation he makes is that Russian society doesn't even recognize the legitimacy of Ukraine to exist. For them this is a conflict between NATO and Russia rather than a war of aggression launched by one man against a weaker neighbor. They see Ukraine as a puppet state of the West. It never even dawns on them that Moscow's aggression is what drove all these former Soviet republics into the arms of NATO in the first place. Call me old fashioned but I feel that if you want your neighbors to be neighborly you don't threaten them with annihilation!
But you ignore the fact the NATO has been creeping close to Moscow with the aim of clipping the wings of Russia. When Russia tried to put arms in Cuba, did America fold its hands? So why should Russia fold its hands when it’s Neighbours join NATO?
@@edwinmagoga7807 "It never even dawns on them that Moscow's aggression is what drove all these former Soviet republics into the arms of NATO in the first place. " NATO membership is not imposed on anyone. Countries "choose" to apply for membership. Russia is not entitled to be surrounded by weaker satellite states that it can threaten and coerce. Russia alone is to blame for the expansion of NATO. Just like Russia alone is to blame for the strengthening of the alliance. All the choices made by Vladimir Putin over the last 20 years have lead us to the point right now.
@@caseroj6020 I will encourage you to revisit the 1991 agreement between NATO and Russia at the end of the Cold War. They agreed that NATO was not going to extend by just 1 inch into the Eastern Europe formerly under the Soviet Union, but over the years NATO has been unfaithful to that agreement. How do you fail to see that, honestly?
Well widely an itellectly spoken Mr Andery kortunov thanks very much
Fascinating.
What a great interview. So many relevant insights - current & historical. Thank you for having such a learned & insightful guest.
Awesome interview. Factual and informative.
I wouldn't want to negotiate with Putin either. You can't believe a word he says.
This is far more sensible than WESTERN media, saying that everything's all right.
I like when you take things from the other perspective
EXACTLY! This war is not really about Russia and Ukraine, it's all about The United States and Russia. Ukraine is just the middle part of the Battleground between the two countries. That's why the United States, keeps spending money on its war games to win while its people are also suffering along the whole world.
@TheKerrycoolmisic The citizens have nothing to do with this war
@TheKerrycoolmisic S'all good
Pathfinder , it’s bc Putin smelled weakness in Biden; if this was Trump admin , there would had been no war ,!Ukraine is the victim ..,
Professional sophist, with a few moments of surprising clarity.