Marina Henke says Putin will remain Russia’s president despite increasing war losses in Ukraine

Though Russia's war in Ukraine has dragged on for almost three months and led to the country's near-total isolation on the world stage, Vladimir Putin is not likely to be ousted from power any time soon, according to Marina Henke, Director of the Centre for International Security, in a FOCUS Online article from 15 May 2022. "We cannot expect Putin to be overthrown so quickly – neither by a revolt from his inner circle, nor by a widespread protest movement from the population," says the Professor of International Relations. "No matter how the war develops, Putin will remain president of Russia."

Putin enjoys too much support from the Russian people, whom he has united against the West and NATO, and too much loyalty and fear from the complex hierarchy of agencies and organisations under his control, to be ousted so easily. In Henke’s assessment, Putin has been “absolutely successful” in strengthening his power domestically by stressing the image of an evil, aggressive West to the population.

Read the full article here (in German).

The Hertie School is not responsible for any content linked or referred to from these pages. Views expressed by the author/interviewee may not necessarily reflect the views and values of the Hertie School.