Russia does not plan to end war. ISW names reason

The russian leadership does not intend to end the war in the near future, since a significant part of both the army and the population support the continuation of hostilities. This is stated in a new report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which refers to interviews with russian military personnel and the results of sociological surveys.

According to ISW, the majority of russian soldiers surveyed by The New York Times are against a ceasefire and believe that the war should continue until the complete capture of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions. They are convinced that a retreat will lead to a new war in the future, and the current losses will be in vain.

The Kremlin, in turn, uses such sentiments to justify a protracted war and deliberately does not prepare society for the possibility of concluding peace. According to the russian opposition organization Khroniky, about half of russians oppose any agreement that contradicts putin’s original goals of “denazification” and neutrality of Ukraine.

Another poll conducted by Verstka among 100 russian military personnel showed:

• only 18% supported the withdrawal of troops without achieving the stated goals;
• only about 20% believe in the possible end of the war in the near future.

ISW analysts emphasize that the Kremlin is consciously shaping the information space in which the idea of ​​a long war looks inevitable and justified. They also point to personnel decisions, such as the appointment of a new commander of the russian Ground Forces, known for his readiness for assaults with heavy losses, as evidence of preparation for a long campaign.

ISW believes that putin expects to force Ukraine to surrender in negotiations, in particular during a potential upcoming round in Istanbul.