could exacerbate domestic instability. The Russian leadership appears increasingly cornered said Dr. Elena Petrova, a senior analyst at the European Security Institute. Putin is under pressure to achieve battlefield gains quickly, but the resources and political capital to do so are increasingly limited . The Ukrainian military has reported continued advances in key contested regions, while international partners including NATO countries maintain significant support through intelligence, financial aid and defensive weaponry. Analysts stress that the conflict is entering a phase where tactical decisions could have major strategic consequences for both sides. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict remain stalled. Talks between Moscow and Kyiv have yielded minimal progress and experts caution that the window for a negotiated settlement is narrowing as both sides consolidate their positions. Observers say the situation also has broader implications for global security, energy markets and international alliances. Heightened tensions could influence NATO posture in Eastern Europe affect global commodity prices and reshape geopolitical alignments in the coming months. Source: Sky News