Military pushes businessmen aside in Putin's inner circle, sources say
Photo: Military pushes Putin to continue the war (Getty Images)
The military wing in Moscow has significantly strengthened its position. Various generals, headed by Gerasimov, have pushed aside the conventional businessmen who were still involved in the decision-making process a few years ago and who are relatively negotiable, according to the RBC-Ukraine article Peace or nothing? What Trump's preparing for Ukraine and what's the chance of ending war in 2025.
As informed sources told RBC-Ukraine, the “shoulder straps” are pushing Putin to solve all problems exclusively by military means, showing him various Oreshniks and assuring him that Russia should set itself maximum goals and not compromise.
On December 19, Vladimir Putin said: “We are always ready for negotiations and compromises. It's just the other side refused to negotiate.”
Meanwhile, the IMF says that Russia's actions are at odds with its public calls for peace talks. In recent months, there has been an escalation of hostilities and an increase in air strikes on cities. Air attacks, especially with drones, have intensified in recent months.
According to the independent Levada Center, three-quarters of Russians support the war against Ukraine. In October 2024, more than half want peace talks, but on their own terms, and only 30% are ready to return the occupied territories.
Valery Gerasimov is the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia and the First Deputy Minister of Defense (since 2012).
Gerasimov is known for his involvement in Russia's aggressive military policy, including the occupation of Crimea (2014), the war in eastern Ukraine, and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine (2022).
He is the author of the concept that Western analysts call the “Gerasimov Doctrine”. It involves a combination of military, information, economic, and other methods to achieve strategic goals, often in a hybrid format.
Many countries sanction Gerasimov for his role in Russia's military aggression. He is one of the symbols of the Russian military leadership responsible for numerous war crimes.
