Russia extremely frustrated they were beaten at their own game. For years, Russian disinformation efforts and influence operations went unchallenged. They behaved like they were the old Soviet hockey team, steamrolling opponents year after year.

The NATO/US security response to the Russian demands has not changed, yet Putin is ready to talk. Likely since his bluff was called and he faced massive loses since the US, the EU, and NATO armed Ukraine and prepared massive sanctions. The Oligarch’s were very nervous their monies, investments, and properties in the EU and the West would be confiscated. Putin would lose all credibility at home. So now, we claim the US, EU, and NATO are a bunch of hysterical rubes. The only fallback position short of war.