There is no contradiction at all. One follows as a consequence of the other.
Putin made a half hearted effort at the start. Clearly reluctant to go down this path. Still feel Russia is pulling it's punches in Ukraine.
Putin's war plan was probably for very few weeks or few months, capture Zelenski thus UA as a short term operation. Plan failed miserably, huge international support to UA, sanctions and RU's money with assets blocked, all weapons from old cranky recyclable material to modern ones being provided to UA, etc. ensued which were unexpected by him.
RU cannot move fast because opponent UA is provided with weapons and almost realitime intelligence from most powerful countries in the world, RU is fighting this alone vs most powerful countries in the world which is next to impossible for any other country. Putin's effing own helicopter was attacked last week while visiting Kursk...!
Till now, RU is pulling the punches there, obvious from the map in BBC news link related to drones. BBC regularly updated maps earlier, now they are reluctant probably seeing progress of RU.
Not a 'personal opinion' but a defendable fact.
Internationally drones are billion$ business, in India accelarating drastically, the Kaveri engine itself is planned to be used in UCAVs too. So are other countries even including non-discript militia. Can carry huge punch of explosive power, surivilance capability
without lose of valuable military persons which is huge plus point. Note that drones include land and sea worthy ones too now.
One of reason why RU could sustain till this day is their massive use of drones in tune of several hundreds or if not a thousand+ daily, together with glide bombs (FABs are terrifying). Drone power is acknowledged by 'who is the who' of military powers in the world, to say otherwise is purely disigenous, monkeywrenching self decieving attitude.
I rather see US get the base than China. Now look at this Yunus guy. Complete hostile attitude.
The reality is that neither USA nor China presence there is in India's interest. Younus is infamus non-descript stooge considered as USA asset. China's presense means trouble for India, but USA's presense means the region is in perpectual quagmire for decades to come. Either India alone or India with support from USA should control the entire region, otherwise we are in hot water.
Is there any proof that this true or just some BS made up by a wily politician.
That area is crtical and sensitive for navy due to trade and regional powers present, so every power may want that island.
In recent weeks there were reports that USA military visited that region:
In June 2025, there is a planned joint military exercise between the US and Bangladesh called “Exercise Tiger Lightning”.
Talk about USA's interest means USA is already invested in that interest.
There is also Rakhine state and Arakan army, USA's interest in them which is not much talked about:
https://nenews.in/politics/indian-o...t-burmese-rebel-groups-think-otherwise/13602/