Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:17pm on 01 Sep 2026,Tuesday International
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly fears that ending the Ukraine war without achieving his maximalist objectives, including capturing the entire Donbas region, could trigger a backlash from Russia’s elite and threaten his hold on power, according to The Economist. A Kremlin insider reportedly recalled Putin saying “they will hang me” when discussing the consequences of ending the war without securing his stated goals. The report suggests Putin views a negotiated settlement as a sign of weakness and believes a weak Russian leader cannot survive. Estonian intelligence chief Kaupo Rosin similarly warned that stopping the war could make Putin appear weak. Meanwhile, growing elite dissatisfaction, economic difficulties, Ukrainian strikes and mounting war costs are complicating Putin’s position. (PC: 19FortyFive)
