War weariness in Russia: Is the tide turning in the Ukraine conflict?

War weariness in Russia: Is the tide turning in the Ukraine conflict?

The situation in the Ukraine conflict continues to escalate as the war has now lasted almost three years. Uncertainty about the further course of the conflict is growing in Russia. As the exile media “Meduza” reports, there is a deep division within the Russian leadership. Some senior security officials are seeking an aggressive escalation of military action, while others, including government sources, are interested in an early end to the war. “The most important feeling is disappointment,” said one source, highlighting widespread weariness over the protracted conflict. Surprisingly, a survey shows that two-thirds of Russians are dissatisfied with the results of the war and are in favor of negotiations, according to findings by Today.at.

Tactics and negotiations questioned

The Kremlin sees itself under pressure and emphasizes the need for negotiations, but these continue to stall. In a background check by ZDFheute it is analyzed that alleged peace negotiations in 2022 failed due to Western interventions. In fact, even if initial approaches were made, these discussions remained inconclusive. Putin himself accused the West of manipulating the negotiations and points to a decisive shift during a meeting with Boris Johnson, in which the British prime minister advised to keep fighting. But experts, including the Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Chalyi, note that Ukraine itself was not prepared to give in in favor of a compromise at this point, as ZDFheute reports.

The prospect of peace therefore seems dim after almost 24 months of conflict and loss. Both sides, Russia and Ukraine, have locked themselves into incorruptible positions, while international pressure and domestic resentment are fueling discussions about a peace solution. It remains uncertain when and under what conditions this bitter war can be ended, keeping both Ukrainian and Russian societies on tenterhooks.