Reading Tea Leaves…

I admit that what I am doing today is highly speculative because Kremlinology has never been an exact science. One way is through jokes. This one is making the rounds. I admit, I laughed, but it’s serious too:

Putin has been at a loss for words with the incursion Into Kursk so in a panic he summons the ghost of Stalin.

Stalin asked “Why have you summoned me, Vladimir?”

Putin responds “The Nazis have returned to Kursk! What do I do Comrade Stalin?!”

Stalin says “Do what I did in 1943. Send the best Ukrainian troops armed with US Weapons”

Stalin used Ukrainians this way. These troops were at the vanguard of the Red Army, and some units received Sherman tanks. The fact that the joke admits to the role of these units is one thing. Admitting lend-lease is quite another.

Jokes have always been ahead of the mood in Russia. Then there is this at Ateo Breaking. It was impressive because this was one of the first institutions on that list. Remember, the US has been the main adversary since the end of the Second World War, sorry, Great Patriotic War. And the Russians never forgave the Brits over the Crimean War in the 19th century:

The Anglo-American School of Moscow has been removed from the list of foreign agents, says the Russian Ministry of Justice

So, is this a carrot? Is Russia signaling something? Maybe. In the same breath, they are back to their pointless threats:

The Russian leadership has made a decision on how to respond to the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ foray into the Kursk region, and Kyiv expects severe punishment, said Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov.

“I tell you sincerely that the president has made a decision. I am firmly convinced that everyone will be severely punished for what happened in the Kursk region,” the diplomat told journalists.

This is a pretty empty threat. Ukrainians have crossed every red line and then some. Russia has yet to do this. Partly, I don’t think they have the tools anymore. They are reduced to covering tanks, old tanks at that, with rubber.