A serious rift has emerged within the immediate circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the conduct of military operations. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with The Guardian, as reported by RBC-Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian leader, there is no unity within the Russian elite concerning the future of the conflict. Zelenskyy claims that while some of those surrounding the Kremlin leader advocate for continuing the war, another group leans towards the necessity of ending it.

Economic Factor as an Argument Against the War

The Ukrainian president cited the state of the economy as the key argument for those in Russia who are calling for peace. "Businessmen understand that the Russian economy is in a terrible state," Zelenskyy noted. In his view, this economic reality is forcing part of the elite to consider the cost of prolonging the conflict.

The head of the Ukrainian state also outlined specific steps that, in his opinion, would bring an end to the war closer. He emphasized that peace will be nearer if:

  • Western countries do not lift existing sanctions;
  • Pressure on the Russian shadow fleet and other key economic sectors is intensified;
  • Ukraine maintains its strength on the battlefield.

Kyiv's Position and the West's Reaction

Regarding the format of negotiations, Kyiv's position remains unchanged. "In any case, we are ready to talk, but we will not give up our territory," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The course of intensifying sanctions pressure on Russia is also supported at the European Union level. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated that Russia's losses from sanctions have already exceeded $1.5 trillion. The bloc is also preparing new restrictions that will affect 80 organizations and individuals.

Enhanced Security in the Kremlin

Against the backdrop of external threats and geopolitical tension, enhanced security measures have been implemented in the Kremlin. As reported by RBC-Ukraine, Russian security services temporarily disabled the video surveillance system around Vladimir Putin to conduct a technical check.

According to a source, the reason for these measures was concern among Russian security forces following the elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The security services feared the capabilities of modern intelligence technologies and decided to play it safe by checking the vulnerability of surveillance systems at the residence of the Russian leader.