But Putin’s war in Ukraine may be testing that perceived glory more than at any time in living memory. Newfrom Levada reveals the most pessimistic Russian population in 15 years; 58% believe that “hard times are yet to come,” and another quarter think they’re already there, according to polling released this month. Among the naysayers, almost half point to the invasion of Ukraine and the attenuating death tolls. One independentStill, 76% of Russians in the same poll said they trusted Putin.
And when asked if the fighting in Ukraine was heading toward eventually ensnaring NATOAll of which is why the trio of human rights leaders made the trek to Washington to meet with think tanks, administration officials, and journalists to make the case that helping to land a decisive win against Russia could reset not just Ukraine’s future, but could force a rethinking of what Russia looks like after Putin—a question the West is hesitant to reckon with.