Even as strikes hit Kyiv and Ukrainians groan for the end of a war, Russians are seeking the light at the end of the tunnel. This is their country’s conflict – launched illegally for short-sighted goals – but there’s a feeling that it’s gone on for too long. Putin’s time is up.
The economically active are vying for a return to business as usual and want things to be normal. Although their support for the President is seen as complicity, and tacit validation for engagement, the reality is the war station isn’t easy.
Throwing off constraints will come as the Presidential team flip switches and inform the regions. His orders are paramount, but will dry up. Therefore, life will bounce back to its former strength, handing over control of daily matters to lesser leaders and officials.
The total state war leveraged by Moscow leadership to re-state aims and sharpen its focus will go down here as a bad war. In history, it strikes against values of peace and harmony. In politics, it held up vital progress in other areas. It also exposed a shaky basis to modern European beliefs.