Vladimir Putin plans to end the war by the end of the year, but only on conditions that will allow him to present it as a victory for the Russian army.
Putin sets his own conditions for ending the war
President of Russia Vladimir Putin wants to end the war by the end of the year, but is ready to agree only to conditions that can be presented to Russian society as a «victory for the Russian army». The key demands include full control over Donbas, The Kremlin is also pushing for a broad agreement with Europe, which would effectively force the West to recognise all of the territories occupied by Russia. The Kremlin also insists on concluding a broad agreement with Europe, which would effectively force the West to recognise all Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
Crisis moods among the Russian elite
The setbacks on the frontline have led to panic and nervousness in Russia's political and military leadership. Senior officials in the Kremlin acknowledge that the conflict has reached a deadlock and that there is no safe way out for the regime.
