Recent news and analysis on Vladimir Putin

News on Russian President Vladimir Putin covering foreign policy, domestic politics, international relations, and Russia's global activities.

• Trump tells Putin ending Ukraine war is critical

  In a friendly hour-long call on his 80th birthday, Trump told Putin that ending Russia's war in Ukraine is critical and offered to help. Trump emphasized the need to end hostilities and expressed readiness to influence European allies and Kyiv toward that goal ahead of the G7 summit.

• Zelensky publishes leaked Kremlin documents predicting Putin's declining approval

  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released leaked Kremlin documents forecasting rising dissatisfaction with Vladimir Putin ahead of Russia's September parliamentary elections. The documents predict declining approval ratings for Putin and United Russia, potentially requiring 'significantly greater falsifications' to secure desired outcomes. Zelensky highlighted 'substantial growth in protest sentiment in Russian regions.'

• Simon Tisdall: "Russia is losing the war in Ukraine, and Putin is desperate. But that's when he's at his most dangerous"

  This commentary argues that while Russia appears to be losing the war in Ukraine, a desperate Vladimir Putin is likely to escalate rather than capitulate. It contends that Putin may not fully recognize his losses due to isolation, and his probable reaction to defeat would be to expand the conflict, potentially drawing NATO into direct confrontation.

• Putin admits Ukrainian attacks damage Russian economy

  President Putin acknowledged that recent Ukrainian strikes are harming Russia's economy and society, though he insisted the damage is temporary. Ukraine's growing drone strikes have hit oil infrastructure and forced the scaling-down of public events, while Putin claims Russia is recovering and winning despite economic strain and declining popularity.

• "Why a bleak poll on Russia's economy spells bad news for Putin"

  This commentary argues that new polling data reveals growing Russian discontent with Putin's economic policies due to EU sanctions and Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure. It contends that while Putin has shielded the public from the war's impact, sustained economic decline may erode support, particularly among poorer and older citizens.

• "Putin repeats maximalist war claims as battlefield reality shifts"

  This commentary argues that despite shifting battlefield realities, Russian President Vladimir Putin's maximalist war aims remain unchanged. It contends that Putin's rhetoric about Russian advances and Ukraine's capitulation is disconnected from actual conditions, such as Ukrainian drone strikes and Russia's growing difficulties in replacing losses. The piece suggests that any discussion of ending the war must start from the current reality.