Putin will always be a threat to stability in Europe: Dissident

(NewsNation) — A former political prisoner jailed in Russia has bad news for anyone who thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about peace with Ukraine.

Journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza says there will be no lasting peace in Ukraine or throughout Europe so long as the authoritarian leader remains in power.

“The only way to have lasting peace, stability and security on the European continent is a democratic Russia,” Kara-Murza told “CUOMO” on Thursday.

His comments come in the wake of Putin’s assertion that he’s interested in a ceasefire with Ukraine, although Putin hedged his comments to say any peace plan must address “root causes” of the conflict.

Kara-Murza said the “root cause” is Putin himself. He described the Russian leader as “this old, deranged Soviet KGB officer sitting in the Kremlin.”

“He’s the reason for all this, he’s the aggressor,” Kara-Murza said.

Putin will talk, and fight: Clark

Putin’s suggestion he supports a ceasefire comes with many caveats that could scuttle a peace deal, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark says.

Ukrainian leaders have already agreed to a 30-day halt in fighting, and now, U.S. representatives are seeking Russia’s acceptance so that talks for lasting peace can begin in earnest.

“What’s the root cause? The root cause is Ukraine wants to be aligned with the West. It wants protection from Russian interference,” Clark told “NewsNation Now.”

Putin would like to roll back NATO and absorb additional close neighbors such as the Baltic states and Bulgaria, the retired U.S. Army general said.

He predicted Putin may take part in negotiations while trying to maintain the upper hand militarily.

“It’s talk, talk, fight, fight,” Clark said.

Putin has limits: Ex-ambassador

Putin is a former KGB official who knows how to manipulate people, says John Herbst, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine under President George W. Bush. Herbst told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” that Putin will try to manipulate President Trump if Ukraine peace talks move forward.

“Of course he can’t be trusted,” Herbst said of Putin. “And he’s demonstrated that over the past 20 years, breaking multiple treaties, breaking multiple commitments.”

And yet, Putin realizes he cannot be seen as double-crossing Trump, the former ambassador said.

“I would not dismiss the idea that Putin has a certain wariness with Trump,” Herbst said. “He believes he’s able to persuade him, but he also understands, I think, that if he crosses Trump and Trump understands that, that can be very bad for Putin and for Russia.”

No accountability for Putin: Breedlove

Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, another former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, said Russia has consistently avoided consequences for its actions. This week, a cargo ship captained by a Russian national collided with an American tanker hauling jet fuel in the North Sea.

It’s “absolutely not a coincidence,” Breedlove told “On Balance” on Thursday.

“This is all a part of that ‘grey zone’ war, war below the lines, or what NATO likes to call hybrid war,” he said. “Mr. Putin has been getting away with these actions, and until he’s held accountable, why would he stop?”