FT: Putin Is Trying To Deceive Himself
- 8.02.2026, 9:06
Problems are piling up inside Russia.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is claiming a supposedly near victory in Ukraine, asserting overcoming sanctions and a strategic initiative on the front lines, and U.S. and European politicians are watching this narrative.
This is reported by Financial Times.
In the article, Peter Pomerantsev notes, in the Russian narrative, the war has long transcended Ukraine and is presented as a global confrontation where Russia is supposedly challenging the West and historically doomed democracies.
Internationally, this version is backed up by claims of overcoming sanctions, economic resilience and a "strategic initiative" on the front.
"Either we liberate these territories by force, or Ukrainian troops leave them," the Russian leader declares.
Information field as a battlefield
This narrative is being actively broadcast outside Russia and picked up by some politicians in the West. The emphasis is not so much on facts as on creating a sense of inevitability.
According to analysts, the ability to impose one's own history, not just military successes, is crucial in modern conflicts.
Vulnerabilities of the system
Despite the image of strength, problems are accumulating inside Russia. An economic model based on military spending and oil revenues is facing rising deficits and inflation.
There is increasing pressure on the military recruitment system, with growing dissatisfaction with covert mobilization and financial extortion.
"Soldiers complain that about 50-70% of their income goes to bribes to commanders," the experts said in their assessment.
External Failures and Limits of Influence
In the international arena, Russia's "big story" is also failing. The loss of allies, the failure of hybrid campaigns, and the resistance of societies in Europe show that the imposed narrative is not universally persuasive. Even where Moscow invests significant resources, the results are limited.
Experts agree: the weakness of the Kremlin's narrative becomes apparent when events are viewed holistically. The key task for Ukraine and its partners is to consistently show these contradictions while building its own story of resilience and determination.