Putin stalling ninety percent complete peace deal

Putin is determined to continue his war against Ukraine, which has lasted longer than World War II, even though a growing portion of Russian society wants it to end. He may succeed in sabotaging peace talks, but prolonging the war could become a source of political risk, particularly as economic stagnation drives down Russian incomes and erodes loyalty in many elite groups. Putin’s fabrication of Ukrainian attacks to personalize his opposition to the peace plan may have seemed clever, but it has instead deepened his alienation from the broad coalition seeking to bring the war to an end.