Russian dictator Putin not only wants to seize power in Kyiv, but a more priority goal is the desire to show the powerlessness of NATO. This opinion was expressed by the British journalist and writer Philip Short, writes The Guardian.

 The author points out that the Russian dictator not only wants to neutralize the central government in Kyiv, but also to show NATO's inability to stop him. The second goal is the main one in the story about the "special operation". The destruction of Ukrainian culture in the occupied territories is an "additional bonus" for the head of the Kremlin, the author notes.

 The journalist notes that the Kremlin does not need too great achievements for Putin to be able to declare "victory" in Ukraine. For this, it is enough to capture the entire Donbas and have a land bridge to Crimea.

 At the same time, Short emphasizes that, ideally, the Russian president would like more - control over Odessa and the nearby Black Sea coast. However, in the eyes of the Russian president, even smaller successes would show that the power of the United States is not unlimited.

 "The war in Ukraine is not going on in isolation. While Russia is denying the security order established by the United States in Europe, China is challenging Washington in Asia. A geopolitical process has begun, the results of which will not be fully seen for decades. But the world order of the last 30 years, which established after the "Cold War" is coming to an end," says Philip Short.

 According to the journalist, the reality of the dictator's plans will depend on the situation at the front, and more precisely on the degree of support for the West of Ukraine in the fall and winter, when the lack of energy resources and the rapid increase in the cost of living will become more and more noticeable for Ukraine's Western partners.