Maria PopovaPutin's fantasy is the West is weak, rotten, and can't stay the course in Ukraine. His Western simps buy it too. But as Pu does damage control after a mutiny (when did a Western army last have a mutiny?), disinfo-pumping troll farms close, and Wagner might leave #Ukraine because Prigozhin is a traitor now, I say the West will watch Putin's regime self-destruct.
Tobias Merkendorf@PopovaProf I suppose each side underestimates the stability of the other.
@t_mkdf the West is way more realistic in its assessments. What's more, the West worries about Ru collapse, whereas Ru dreams of a Western collapse....
Anders Puck Nielsen@PopovaProf @t_mkdf Good point. There is an asymmetry in the understanding each side has of the other. Many in the West get Russia wrong, but it's nothing compared to how wrong the Russian politicians get the West.
@anderspuck @PopovaProf I have the impression that many people in the west as well really look forward and expect a russian coup, revolution, mutiny etc...
What I am seeing is a weak state with many insecurities. But with a flexible and informal way of politics. That is not necessarily capable of great things and decisive actions. Much to it's own frustration. But might do just enough to persist.