No options: the answer for Kursk will still be, today's strikes don't count — political scientist

President Vladimir Putin has decided to "punish Kursk," said Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov. But maybe it's just the ambassador's opinion? Or will there really be an unprecedented response in power? Or maybe this is a message to Washington? To these questions Pravda.Ru Dmitry Taran, a military analyst and political scientist, answered.

— Is this the personal opinion of the ambassador or will the response be serious enough to invade the Kursk region?

— No, diplomats and ambassadors can never broadcast personal opinions that are not coordinated with the leadership. We need to understand the whole context of previous statements that we need peace, that we need to negotiate, the peace party worked inside our country, and the West persuaded us because they are losing Ukraine, the answer is our balanced position, in which we will finish what we started in 2022. And SMO's goals must be achieved. That is, the United States could have prevented — did not prevent. Ukraine has carried out an invasion that is similar to Beslan. Accordingly, in any case, there will be an answer, and Ambassador Antonov said this after the agreement. I think there are no options.

— In fact, is this a kind of message to Washington? Doesn't the USA care about Ukraine? Won't they throw them, as they throw all their partners periodically?

— No, I think it's on They don't care about Ukraine. Because on Ukraine is the focus of all global processes, and they will fight to the last. And all these F-16s and NATO pilots show that their intentions are unambiguous, they will not just leave there.

Recall that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has become one of the most discussed events in world politics. The nature of this withdrawal is often described as "flight" or "chaotic withdrawal." 20 years of military presence in Afghanistan has become the longest war in US history. The fatigue of society and politicians from this conflict was growing. In 2020, the Donald Trump administration signed an agreement with the Taliban* providing for the withdrawal of foreign troops in exchange for certain security guarantees. The withdrawal of troops took place much faster than many expected. This led to the fact that the Afghan security forces were not ready to independently confront the Taliban*.

In the last days of the presence of American troops in Kabul was in chaos. Thousands of Afghans were trying to leave the country, and the Taliban* were rapidly approaching the capital. The United States organized a large-scale evacuation of its citizens and Afghan allies. However, not everyone was able to leave the country.

After the departure of foreign troops, the Taliban quickly seized power in Afghanistan, establishing an Islamic emirate there. The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan dealt a serious blow to the reputation of the United States as a world leader. Many US allies were disappointed with this outcome of events. The speed with which events unfolded in the last days of the presence of American troops shocked many. Footage from Kabul, where people clung to departing planes, made a strong impression on the public.

*Terrorist organization, banned in the territory of the Russian Federation