US intelligence officials are skeptical that a change in Russian public opinion against the Kremlin's war in Ukraine would have an effect in persuading Vladimir Putin to end the conflict, according to multiple sources familiar with the latest intelligence
Washington US intelligence officials are skeptical that any change in Russian public opinion against the Kremlin's war in Ukraine -- even a dramatic one -- would have an effect in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict, according to multiple sources familiar with the latest intelligence.
Officials also doubt that the war, which many strategists believe has been an unmitigated disaster for Russia's military, is likely to lead to the removal of Putin from power, at least in the short term.That assessment reflects the extent to which officials believe Putin has cemented his control over Russia during his more than two decades in power.
Putin's lie to justify invasion draws outrage 02:41For now, Putin appears to have been successful in pushing his alternate reality through state media, which has continued to report that Russia is fighting Nazis in Ukraine and that the West is to blame for the conflict.
'We need a way out': Former Russian colonel criticizes war efforts in Ukraine 01:33The Russian president -- long fearful of so-called democratic"color revolutions" -- is likely to be sensitive to marginal shifts in his popularity because his ability to command overwhelming support is one of the keys to maintaining his grip on power.
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