2024-01-31 10:50:46
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin (71) still rules with an iron grip, the war in Ukraine has quietly eroded his power on the home front. This is what the head of the American foreign intelligence service CIA writes in a piece in the influential American magazine ‘Foreign Affairs’. William J. Burns also reveals exactly how Putin’s power crumbled.
According to Burns, Putin is completely obsessed with Ukraine and that “tragic and brutal fixation” can hardly be underestimated. “He believes that Russia cannot possibly be a great power and he cannot possibly be a great Russian leader if Ukraine is not brought under control,” the CIA chief said.
Ironically, that fixation has just exposed Russia and Putin’s weaknesses. The original plan to take Kiev in just a few days was completely ruined and Putin’s army suffered immense losses in the last two years. “At least 315,000 Russian soldiers have already been killed or wounded, two-thirds of Russia’s pre-war tanks have been destroyed and Putin’s military modernization program has been eroded,” it said.
China
At the same time, the Russian economy is facing long-term setbacks and Russia is sealing its fate as an “economic puppet state of China”. Putin’s “exaggerated ambitions” have also backfired in another way, according to the CIA chief: instead of weakening NATO, they have pushed the alliance to become bigger and stronger.
LOOK. What does NATO threaten if Russia deploys tactical nuclear weapons?
According to Burns, the mutiny of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in June last year was indicative. The carefully polished image of Putin as a man in control was showing cracks. “For a leader who went to such lengths to build a reputation as a law enforcer, Putin appeared aloof and indecisive as Prigozhin’s band of mutineers forced their way into Moscow. For many in the Russian elite, the question was not so much whether the emperor had no clothes, but rather why it took him so long to put them on.”
The deceased Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. © AFP
Putin finally dealt with Prigozhin – he died in a suspicious plane crash exactly two months after his mutiny – but the damage was done. “Prigozhin’s sharp criticism of the lies and misguided military assessments during the war, as well as the corruption at the heart of the Russian political system, will not go away anytime soon,” Burns added. “Beneath the thick surface of state propaganda and repression, dissatisfaction with the war gnaws at Russia’s leaders and people.”
LOOK. These are probably the last images of Prigozhin
Time
The CIA director also believes that Putin is still counting on time being on his side in the war. He therefore emphasizes the importance of continuing Western support for Ukraine.
He also encourages Ukraine to continue to resist and launch attacks deep behind the front in Russian territory. Does this not risk nuclear war? “Putin could again threaten nuclear retaliation and it would be foolish to completely ignore the risk of an escalation,” Burns said. “But it would be just as foolish to allow yourself to be unnecessarily intimidated by him.”
Putin has changed his view on tactical nuclear weapons, and that is not good news (+)
Russian sources say that Putin would be willing to hold peace talks and that he would show “greater flexibility”, but the Kremlin denies
WATCH ALSO. Everything about the war between Russia and Ukraine in pictures
This content contains cookies from social media or other external platforms. Because you have disabled these cookies, this content remains hidden. Accept cookies from social media to still display the content.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.
Yes, I want free unlimited access
#War #Ukraine #weakened #Putin #power #quietly #eroded #War #Ukraine #Russia