--- title: "Toxic Atmosphere Around the Kremlin: Zelenskyy on the Impact of Ukraine's Successes on Putin's Inner Circle" description: "Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and long-range strikes are creating a \"toxic atmosphere\" around Putin. The President noted that this is even acknowledged by the closest entourage of the Russian leader. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦πŸ”₯" date: 2026-07-22T18:20:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-toxic-atmosphere-around-putin tags: [zelensky, putin, ukraine, war, kremlin] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Toxic Atmosphere Around the Kremlin: Zelenskyy on the Impact of Ukraine's Successes on Putin's Inner Circle ![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy contemplating the impact of Ukraine's successes on the atmosphere around the Kremlin](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/22/zelensky-toxic-atmosphere-around-putin/zelensky-toxic-atmosphere-around-putin-1.webp) Successful operations by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the front lines, as well as long-range strikes on Russian territory, are creating a fundamentally new situation around Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening video address published on Facebook. According to the head of the Ukrainian state, the current situation on the front line and the effectiveness of the so-called "mid-strikes" are creating a "very toxic atmosphere" around the head of the Kremlin. Zelenskyy emphasizes that this feeling is not subjective but is acknowledged by the Russian president's closest entourage. ### Admission by the Entourage and Public Reaction In his speech, the Ukrainian leader noted that Putin's team is aware of the growing pressure. "It signals to us, it signals to our partners. Russian society is increasingly beginning to feel this," Zelenskyy commented. He is convinced that it is precisely the actions of Ukraine and its allies that are forcing the Russian leadership and citizens to realize the reality of what is happening. The President also touched upon the causes of the conflict, stating that the responsibility for starting and continuing the war lies exclusively with Vladimir Putin. "Only Putin is the cause of the losses suffered by Russians," he emphasized. ### Economic Factors and Strategy An important factor influencing Russia's will to continue the war, according to Zelenskyy, is economic pressure. Long-range sanctions and the worsening economic situation in the Russian Federation are having a tangible effect on the Kremlin's desire to conduct hostilities. The President is confident that these measures work in conjunction with military successes. Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy, has long been ready to make decisions that will lead to peace. "We are now doing everything to ensure that the end of this war is worthy," he summarized. ### Context of Recent Events The President's statement came against the backdrop of a number of important political and military events. On July 22, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, during which the resumption of negotiations with Russia was discussed. Furthermore, following the resignation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, large-scale changes in the country's defense strategy were announced. New reforms will affect both the development of the drone industry and mobilization issues, which should strengthen the potential of the Ukrainian army in the context of the ongoing conflict.