As a result of the war with a neighboring country, more and more analysts are beginning to question Putin’s perception of reality, geopolitical strategy, and control over power.
“We are dealing with a ‘crazy dictator’ who has been in power for 20 years and has lost his sense of reality,” said opposition political leader Vladimir Milov, a former Russian deputy energy minister.
He added that over the weekend, the US President said out loud what many think – Putin can no longer remain in power. However, according to the former deputy minister of energy, an internal coup is almost impossible.
“Times are different – in Soviet times there was a Politburo that could more or less remove the Secretary General. Communication between various units is difficult, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has 50,000 guards (FSO employees) at his disposal,” Milov commented.
Assessing the mood among those close to Putin and in the highest military echelon is very difficult, said Melinda Haring, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.
“This is a closed political system. Vladimir Putin is paranoid, controlling, and we don’t know what people think – things happen that surprise us all,” she added.
Analysts see the only chance for Putin to fall from power if the war is lost and the country’s political and economic isolation deepens.