Russian elites could settle 'Putin question' to stop war, official says
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The Russian President is currently weighing whether to end the war, announce a new mobilization, or draw NATO into a direct confrontation through air strikes, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.
He noted that in Russia, part of the elite supports a ceasefire and the start of negotiations. However, they currently have significantly less influence than those advocating for the continuation of hostilities and delaying tactics.
"It is not ruled out that Russian elites will have to resolve the 'Putin question' to end this military madness, which the self-proclaimed Russian leader is currently unwilling to stop," Kovalenko said.
Forcing into peace
The head of the center emphasized that there is no alternative to forcing Russia into peace through strength.
"Diplomacy without force, based on logical arguments and references to international law, has been used since 2014. And no side that engaged in dialogue with Putin from a position of logic has been successful, because in such diplomacy two parallel realities collide," he said.
Kovalenko stated that only diplomacy with the use of force can "bring Russian reality closer to actual reality."
Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine’s intelligence services had obtained access to classified documents sent directly to the Russian leader.
These materials include data on the Kremlin leader’s approval rating and the growing discontent among Russians regarding his policies. Zelenskyy noted that Putin rarely receives reliable information, but even what he sees in the documents allows for certain conclusions.
It was also reported by Russian media that security officials are urging Putin to postpone elections to the State Duma. The reasons include declining support for the United Russia party, a worsening economic situation, and recent attacks on Moscow.
