RUSSIA: Why Putin Needs War
In the previous weeks, we’ve looked at what peace in Ukraine would mean for the country. But it’s just as important to consider why Putin resists peace. For him, ending the war isn’t just undesirable—it’s a threat. A resolution would mean losing control, both at home and abroad. His narrative of external enemies and nationalism would weaken, making it harder to keep the Russian people united and distracted.
In this post, let's look at why a frozen conflict works in Putin’s favor. It fuels anti-Western sentiment, justifies crackdowns on opposition, and keeps his grip on power tight. The war isn’t just about Ukraine—it’s a tool for survival, and peace would undermine the very narrative that keeps him in control.
Russian propaganda offers plenty of justifications—NATO expansion, "liberating" Ukraine from Nazism, and so on. But these are just smokescreens. The real reason? Putin needed an excuse to tighten his grip on Russia. A free, democratic Ukraine aligned with Europe and NATO was a direct threat to his rule, showing Russians that a better alternative exists—one without Putinism or a return to Soviet-style repression. And that terrified him.
Putin’s ultimate goal is to stay in power for life. He’s addicted to the feeling of being Russia’s modern-day Tsar. So, he painted Ukraine as the enemy, invented excuses for the invasion, and strong-armed his oligarchs and siloviki into backing him. “Convinced” might be too strong a word—let’s just say the alternative wasn’t great. In Putin’s Russia, disagreeing with him can lead to an unfortunate fall from a window or a bad cup of tea.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF PUTIN'S "SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION"
Being at war gives Putin the perfect excuse to tighten his grip on Russia, slowly but relentlessly. Since 2022, he has stripped away what little freedoms Russians had left. The internet is no longer free—Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook are all banned. Speaking out against the war or the Kremlin can land you in prison, or worse. Russia was never known for free speech, but now even the smallest sign of dissent is crushed. Opposition figures? They’re either in exile, behind bars, or dead.
Beyond repression, the economy has taken a serious hit. Cutting off gas to the EU slashed a major revenue stream, and when Western companies pulled out of Russia after the invasion, they took jobs, investments, and quality products with them. The Kremlin rushed to replace them with local knockoffs—Russian versions of Western staples McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Sprite. But from what people say, they’re a poor substitute. The cost of war isn’t just measured in lives lost on the battlefield—it’s also in the slow decline of everyday life for ordinary Russians.
Russians can no longer travel freely outside their country. Getting a visa to any EU or Western nation has become incredibly difficult, cutting them off from opportunities to study, work, or build a life abroad. Sanctions have made it harder than ever for ordinary Russians to experience the world beyond their borders.
Even the oligarchs, who once lived in luxury across Europe, haven’t escaped the fallout. Many have had their multimillion-dollar yachts, mansions, and bank accounts seized by Western governments. The days of splurging in London, vacationing in the French Riviera, or cruising on superyachts are over—at least for now. While the Kremlin insists Russia is standing strong, the reality is that its people, from the ultra-rich to the average citizen, are feeling the squeeze.
PEACE IS JUST A BREAK, NOTHING MORE
Trump is delusional if he thinks Putin actually wants peace. After everything Russia has lost, peace is the last thing on Putin’s mind. What he really wants is a break in the fighting. A ceasefire would give his exhausted troops time to rest, rearm, and regroup. Recruiting replacements for the staggering number of dead soldiers has become incredibly costly, so keeping his current forces in the fight longer is a priority.
A temporary peace would also help Putin on the home front. The Russian public is sick of war, and a ceasefire would let him spin a victory narrative—claiming Russia "defeated" the U.S. and NATO. Through state propaganda, he can sell the idea that America gave in, while Russia stood strong. Meanwhile, Trump is pressuring Ukraine into an unfair deal, forcing them to concede despite being the victim.
But the biggest advantage for Putin? A frozen conflict. Ukraine would uphold a ceasefire, but Russia? Not so much. Europe would step in to help rebuild, possibly even sending troops for stabilization efforts. That would give Putin the perfect excuse to rally more anti-Western sentiment and test NATO’s resolve. If Russian forces strike those foreign troops and the West hesitates to respond, it sets a dangerous precedent—one that Putin could use to gauge reactions before considering an attack on a NATO country. For him, a fake peace deal isn’t about ending the war—it’s about buying time and setting the stage for his next move.
CONCLUSION
Nothing about the Kremlin’s actions or messaging suggests they’re serious about a peace deal in Ukraine. If anything, the war works in Putin’s favor. It lets him tighten his authoritarian grip, crush personal freedoms, and force Russians into total obedience. With the country in a constant state of emergency, people are too focused on survival to demand real change—things like a vision for the future or investment in social services.
The Russian economy is also too dependent on war to sustain a lasting ceasefire. Weapons production keeps people employed and the money flowing. If the war machine slows down, factories will shut, jobs will disappear, and the Kremlin’s cash reserves will shrink fast.
The idea that Putin genuinely wants peace is pure fantasy—one that Trump seems eager to believe. Hopefully, he wakes up to reality, but let’s be honest: that’s wishful thinking. He’s too self-absorbed and clueless to see through the lie!
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