“Master of his destiny for more than two decades, Vladimir Putin could have led his country into the 21st century, but he plunged it into darkness,” French journalists write. – After sixteen months of fruitless fighting, Russian soldiers are now suffering from a Ukrainian counteroffensive, the outcome of which no one can predict.
But already within the Russian society and government there are signs of degradation. These rifts may widen as the Kremlin’s financial resources are depleted. Some experts predict that the pressures caused by the war will likely push the national republics toward greater autonomy from the central government. In the big cities, the elites are losing patience with the conflict that impoverishes them. Add to this sad picture demographic apathy, exacerbated by war, economic decline and dangerous crime.”
