Description:
Russia is moving to isolate Kiev, and on this episode we explain how strikes on the capital's energy grid, power lines, rail links and Dnieper bridges point to a plan to make the city unusable. With Ukraine's economy in freefall and its funding needs climbing toward 200 billion, they argue the EU has one card left to play, which is seizing the frozen Russian assets held at Euroclear, despite objections from Belgium and Putin's warnings at Valdai. If Kiev is cut off and the government is forced to leave, what exactly would that money buy Europe?
Timeline:
00:00:00 Ukraine needs 200 billion and counting
00:01:46 Russian strikes target Kiev energy grid and bridges
00:04:06 The plan to isolate Kiev
00:06:20 Russian buildup in Bryansk and Sumy
00:07:26 Would Russia install a new government in Kiev
00:10:00 Putin links diesel export ban to sanctions
00:12:52 Ukraine industry and air defences collapse
00:14:21 EU last card is seizing Russian assets
00:19:46 Front line update Orekhov, Dobropillia, Kharkov, Liman
00:23:07 The long conflict between Russia and the West