I’ve pointed out before that if Putin were removed from power—whether through assassination, a coup, or something else—we could actually end up with someone even more hardline and dangerous in charge. We saw a version of this scenario in Iraq: Saddam Hussein warned that if he were overthrown, even worse figures could take his place. As it turned out, our own missteps and failure to plan for the aftermath helped prove him right.
Throughout his political career, Donald Trump has often spoken about Vladimir Putin in ways that break with traditional American foreign policy. From publicly expressing admiration for Putin’s “strong leadership” style to repeatedly casting doubt on Russia’s interference in U.S. elections, Trump has distanced himself from the more confrontational approach favored by previous administrations.
Even during Russia’s war in Ukraine, Trump has made statements that suggest a willingness to accommodate Putin’s ambitions, sometimes undermining Western unity. This alignment—real or perceived—has been a source of ongoing debate among analysts and policymakers, shaping both Russian confidence and American political dynamics.
Thus we must consider Donald Trump in all of this, either intricately involved or separately. A new book hit the shelves on July 15, 2025. The Mission, The CIA in the 21st Century.
It’s 2025, and the Russian war machine still grinds away at Ukraine with no end in sight. On the battlefield, things have seesawed for over three years—yet Vladimir Putin shows no hint of backing down, no openness to real negotiations. So, who’s keeping the fantasy of victory alive in the Kremlin? And why does Putin keep hearing only what he wants to hear?
Let’s break down the echo chamber that shields the Russian president from reality, and why it matters for Ukraine, Russia, and the world.
1. The Kremlin “War Party”: Hardliners and Yes-Men
At the core of Putin’s inner circle are the hawks who have staked their careers on Russian strength and expansionism. These men, mostly with intelligence or military backgrounds, have every incentive to keep telling Putin that victory is just a matter of time.
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Nikolai Patrushev (Security Council Secretary): The ultimate KGB loyalist, Patrushev is a primary architect of Russia’s modern security state. He’s repeatedly argued that the West is weak, Ukraine will eventually crumble, and Russia can outlast sanctions.
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Alexander Bortnikov (FSB Chief): He’s pushed the narrative that Ukraine is a “failed state” that will fold, and that the Russian public can endure whatever hardship the West throws at them.
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Sergey Karaganov (Foreign policy strategist): Karaganov frames the war as an existential struggle Russia must win, pushing Putin to reject compromise and double down.
For these hardliners, anything short of victory is an existential threat—to the regime, and to themselves.
2. The Ideologues: Feeding the Nationalist Fire
There’s a cottage industry of Russian ultra-nationalists and so-called “Eurasianists” who keep pumping the idea that Russia’s cause is righteous, historic, and ultimately unstoppable.
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Aleksandr Dugin (“Putin’s Brain”): Dugin’s spiritualized, messianic take on the war casts it as a civilizational battle for the soul of the world. Losing isn’t just defeat—it’s cosmic failure.
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State media hosts and Kremlin-friendly pundits: Nightly talk shows feature endless “victory is inevitable” messaging, suppressing dissent and silencing even the mildest criticisms.
3. The Messaging Machine: Manufactured Optimism
Senior officials like Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin spokesman) and Sergei Ryabkov (deputy foreign minister) maintain a facade of calm and control in public. They downplay setbacks, claim Western unity is cracking, and insist that Russia will never accept “unjust peace terms.”
When Western leaders waver or change course—even slightly—these voices spin it as proof the tide is turning. Recent statements from U.S. politicians about limiting aid to Ukraine have been seized on by Russian officials to reinforce the “just hang on” narrative.
4. What’s the Endgame?
This feedback loop leaves Putin insulated from bad news and outside advice. Every failed offensive becomes “a delay, not a defeat.” Each Ukrainian counterattack is just a “Western plot.” If all your advisors, media, and sycophants say victory is coming, why ever negotiate?
The trouble is, the echo chamber isn’t just misleading Putin. It raises the stakes for everyone: as long as the Kremlin believes victory is possible—or at least, can sell that illusion to its people—the war drags on. The costs rise. The destruction deepens. And a real settlement slips ever further out of reach.
The Bottom Line
As long as Putin is surrounded by men with everything to lose from defeat—and nothing to gain from honesty—expect the fantasy of Russian victory to persist. History is full of leaders who’ve been ruined by their own echo chambers. Unfortunately for Ukraine and the world, we’re watching that dynamic play out in real time.
Compiled with aid of ChatGPT
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