【明報專訊】''War is a mere continuation of politics by other means,'' said Carl von Clausewitz renownedly. For Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin, it could always be the other way round to showcase politics by continuing a war or drumbeating one. The year 2021 ended with the Russian blatant threat of an all-out invasion into Ukraine by staging 100,000 troops near the annexed Crimea, putting Ukraine within striking distance. The curtain of the year 2022 was drawn with the dim hope blazed by the start of the series of diplomatic peace talks among Russia, NATO and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe led by US officials.