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According to the report, within the Russian elite, irritation toward Putin is growing. Russia's elite and big business have lost respect for him and increasingly call him by the derogatory nickname Grandfather. Russian economist Alexandra Prokopenko spoke about this in an interview with the German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, citing conversations with representatives of Russia's civil and administrative elite. According to Prokopenko, the elite's attitude toward Putin was different before February 2022. He was called the boss and treated with respect, even though he was increasingly fascinated by history and moving away from the economic agenda. This was perceived as a harmless characteristic of the aging autocrat, not a threat to the country.
The report stated that the situation changed after the order to invade Ukraine. The elite didn't believe Putin would resort to a full-scale war, considering him a rational man capable of weighing risks. When this didn't happen, respect gave way to disappointment and ridicule. In private conversations, Prokopenko notes, Putin earned the nickname Grandfather. One of her interlocutors described the president's attitude as extremely harsh: Grandfather just loves toy soldiers. This phrase, according to the economist, accurately conveys the perception of Putin as a man fascinated by war but detached from the consequences of his decisions.
The report said that the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a turning point for the civilian ruling class. Before the war, the elite perceived Putin as a rational leader, albeit an aging autocrat. After the outbreak of full-scale war, this perception collapsed; they want Putin gone. Moreover, the demand for an alternative to Putin exists not only among opponents of the war. It is also noticeable in pro-war circles, including military bloggers who accuse the president of being excessively soft on the front.
Additionally, for some officials, it aroused not fear, but hope and even enthusiasm. The elite, deprived of independent action, is waiting for an external player who will radically change the situation. Prokopenko notes that similar expectations were placed on Donald Trump. There was a strong demand among the elite and society for an alternative to Putin, but there was no understanding of who could implement this alternative and how. Moreover, fear has become a system-forming factor. The elite know that there are no more rules of the game, and that past achievements guarantee nothing.
The report stated that the situation changed after the order to invade Ukraine. The elite didn't believe Putin would resort to a full-scale war, considering him a rational man capable of weighing risks. When this didn't happen, respect gave way to disappointment and ridicule. In private conversations, Prokopenko notes, Putin earned the nickname Grandfather. One of her interlocutors described the president's attitude as extremely harsh: Grandfather just loves toy soldiers. This phrase, according to the economist, accurately conveys the perception of Putin as a man fascinated by war but detached from the consequences of his decisions.
The report said that the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a turning point for the civilian ruling class. Before the war, the elite perceived Putin as a rational leader, albeit an aging autocrat. After the outbreak of full-scale war, this perception collapsed; they want Putin gone. Moreover, the demand for an alternative to Putin exists not only among opponents of the war. It is also noticeable in pro-war circles, including military bloggers who accuse the president of being excessively soft on the front.
Additionally, for some officials, it aroused not fear, but hope and even enthusiasm. The elite, deprived of independent action, is waiting for an external player who will radically change the situation. Prokopenko notes that similar expectations were placed on Donald Trump. There was a strong demand among the elite and society for an alternative to Putin, but there was no understanding of who could implement this alternative and how. Moreover, fear has become a system-forming factor. The elite know that there are no more rules of the game, and that past achievements guarantee nothing.