Putin sees the war as a historical project and is not ready to compromise
For the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin the war against Ukraine has become a historic project, and he is not ready to accept an outcome that does not look like a complete victory. This was reported by The Independent.
The Kremlin's maximalist goals
According to the newspaper, Putin cannot accept anything less than the complete seizure of Donetsk region and the overthrow of the Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky.
Any other outcome that does not look like a complete victory could be seen in the Kremlin as a collapse of its historical legacy.
Losses and political logic
The article notes that Russia's total losses in the war have already exceeded 1.3 million people killed and wounded, which further raises the stakes for the Russian leadership.
Against this backdrop, the Kremlin is trying to use diplomatic and economic instruments in parallel with military pressure.
Betting on the negotiation track
According to The Independent, Moscow is seeking to use the approach of the US President's team Donald Trump, by offering economic projects.
In particular, the Kremlin is counting on American envoys such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner - to achieve what the military failed to do, namely the actual surrender of Kyiv.
Financing the war
According to the newspaper, the Russian authorities are taking unpopular steps to support military spending:
tax increases;
Reducing social spending.
At the same time, as noted, Putin is not yet experiencing significant internal pressure from Russian society, which allows him to continue the war.
Context.
Western analysts have repeatedly warned that the Kremlin's strategic goals in the war against Ukraine remain maximalist.
This complicates the prospects for a quick peaceful settlement and increases the importance of long-term support for Ukraine from its allies.
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