https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-putin-nuclear-deterrent-invasion-belarus-live-updates-12541713
From the link :
'We have to stop the conflict', says Kremlin advisor
Andrey Kortunov is a respected foreign policy analyst and adviser to the Kremlin, writes international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn.
He is no apologist for the Kremlin but not afraid to defend its actions if he sees fit and we are used to seeing him on our news doing so. Not today. Not after this invasion.
In an extraordinary interview, he told Sky News how he felt when he heard Russia had attacked Ukraine: "I was shocked because, for a long time, I thought that a military operation was not feasible. It was not plausible."
Kortunov says it is essential Russia takes steps to end this war as soon as possible.
"My advice today, given the current situation of the ground would be to turn a ceasefire into the top priority. We have to stop the conflict. To start with. We have to get to the negotiating table not just with Ukraine, but also with the West."
It goes on :
Putin has narrowed his group of advisers to a small clique of securocrats, the siloviki, or strongmen as they called, generals and spies.
Those like Kortunov who'd advocated greater integration with the outside world and greater prosperity have been shut out.
"We tend to believe that the name of the game is development but I can imagine that some people around Putin believe that the name of the game is survival."
The implications are stark for Russia and the rest of the world. The siloviki have told Putin the west is out to topple him. The sanctions and sharpening rhetoric will have convinced him further.
If the priority is survival his tactics may be all the less compromising. For Kortunov and those like him shut out of the Kremlin's decision making these are dark days. Gone was the robust advocate explaining the nuances of Russia's actions abroad.
Instead, a man who seemed beaten down by the terrible last few days. And he seemed to be speaking for many like him.
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Hope he is right
Mad Vlad is reminiscent of Hitler
Surrounding himself with an ever decreasing circle of yes men
Fingers crossed the sanctions bite fiercely this week