CIA chief: The war in Ukraine is eroding Putin's power

2024-01-31 17:00:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Russia's war against Ukraine has eroded Vladimir Putin's grip on power, damaged the Russian military and fueled "discontent" within the country. This is what the director of the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, said.

Through a published essay, Burns, who was previously the United States ambassador to Russia, called on American lawmakers to approve the new package of weapons and equipment for Ukraine, describing it as a "relatively modern investment with great geopolitical benefits for the US and for American industry".

"Putin's war is already a failure for Russia on many levels," Burns wrote for Foreign Affairs magazine.

“His original goal of conquering Kiev and subduing Ukraine turned out to be foolish and delusional. His army suffered heavy losses. At least 315,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded, two-thirds of Russia's pre-war tank inventory has been destroyed, and Putin's military modernization program has not been implemented."

"His war in Ukraine is quietly eroding his power domestically," he said.

Burns' statements come as the launch of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches its second anniversary and there are no signs that the war is nearing an end.

Putin, who is expected to win the March presidential election, has described the "special military operation" - the terminology the Kremlin uses for the war in Ukraine - as a fight essential to Russia's historic identity.

The Russian economy has been put to the service of war, hundreds of thousands of people have been mobilized, many more Russians have left the country, either to avoid military service or to protest internal oppression.

"One thing I've learned is that it's always a mistake to underestimate [Putin's] obsession with controlling Ukraine and its elections," Burns wrote.

"Without that control, he believes it is impossible for Russia to become a great power or for him to become a great Russian leader. This tragic and brutal fixation has only shamed Russia and exposed its weaknesses, from its one-dimensional economy to its bloated military power and its corrupt political system."

Ukraine, meanwhile, has struggled to hold its positions on the battlefield after its counteroffensive failed last year. Western and Ukrainian officials were hopeful that the counteroffensive would succeed, based on training provided by NATO, but also on new, powerful Western weapons that Kiev has accepted.

Both Russia and Ukraine are now trying to take up positions along the 1,200 kilometer long front line during the winter. Some experts said that Russia will replenish its ranks and will be in such a position to launch an offensive during the summer of this year./ REL