Putin’s great-power project faces the ‘end of an era’
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, initially promised as a swift victory, has turned into a prolonged war surpassing the duration of the Soviet fight against Nazi Germany, with significant Russian casualties and limited territorial gains.
- Russia's global network of allies is deteriorating, highlighted by the collapse of Syria's Assad regime, the U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, and unrest in Iran, challenging Moscow's strategic partnerships.
- Experts note that Russia's alliances with countries like Iran and Venezuela are more pragmatic than genuine, lacking mutual defense commitments and marked by mutual mistrust.
- Russian public and pro-war commentators express growing criticism of the Kremlin's leadership, acknowledging that Russia's image as a great power has not translated into effective strength or success.
