What are Putin's red lines, and how can we evaluate them? This talk seeks to decipher the content, context, and coherence of Putin's red line discourse, particularly concerning recent threats related to Ukraine's potential use of lethal military assistance against Russia. Using data analysis, it compares Western expectations with Putin's unique construction and timing of red line references. The talk also explores how Russia's strategic focus on "reflexive control" differs from traditional concepts of reputation and credibility, assessing the risks of inadvertent escalation. |