Supporters of Putin within the Russian elite have a lost faith in Russia's chances of winning the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.
The publication reveals that there is a deep sense of pessimism among Russian elites regarding Putin's prospects, and the best outcome they envision is a "frozen" conflict.
Many individuals within the political and business elite are weary of the ongoing war and wish for it to come to an end. However, they doubt Putin's willingness to halt the fighting. Seven anonymous sources familiar with the situation shared their insights, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
Five of them indicate that Putin has not expressed a desire to end the war, while the other four suggest that most elites believe they have no influence over the situation.
While there is a reluctance to openly oppose the president due to the invasion, there are doubts about the confidence in his leadership. The most favorable scenario, as described by two sources, would involve negotiations towards the end of the year, allowing Putin to declare victory while securing a portion of Ukraine.
Kirill Rogov, a former government adviser who now leads the Vienna-based think tank Re:Russia, and who left the country after the invasion, explains that the Russian elite fear being held responsible for an unjustified war. He notes that the perception that Putin cannot achieve victory in the war is surprisingly widespread among Russian elites.
Although the Russian military's definition of victory remains uncertain, as they failed to capture Kyiv early in the conflict, Putin and his senior aides continue to assert that Russia will ultimately prevail.
As the war shows no signs of resolution, Russian officials and billionaires are becoming increasingly aware of the prospects of prolonged international isolation and growing dependence on the Kremlin. Bloomberg reports that Putin is urging businesses to support the war effort and preventing key figures from leaving their positions.
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