Putin’s Early Signs of an Aggressor

In a previous article, titled “Putin’s 1st Red Flag: The Five Day War,” I argue that Putin’s war in Georgia in 2008 was Putin showing us his hand. It was at this point, and at a conference in Germany in 2007, that Putin revealed his illiberalism.

I stand by those words. But there were a series of actions leading up to 2008 that could have also showcased how much he would do in order to gain power and popularity.

It’s easy to look back on the events that led up to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But it’s also important. By doing this, we…