As the war in Ukraine continues into 2025, there is growing disappointment among Russia’s political elite.
Many expected the conflict to end by 2024, but it has dragged on, and the Russian economy is suffering under sanctions.
Sources close to the Kremlin have said that the feeling among officials is one of fatigue and frustration.
They had hoped for peace talks and some easing of the sanctions, but these hopes have largely faded.
A source close to the Kremlin administration shared that “the main emotion is disappointment.”
Many had expected the war to end and the fighting to stop, but instead, they are only feeling more tired as time goes on.
The economy is in rough shape, and business leaders are struggling to keep things afloat.
A consultant who works closely with both the government and businesses said that while some companies are managing to survive, it’s only because they’re picking up the pieces of foreign companies leaving. But this can’t last forever.
As Ukraine’s military continued operations, including the August 2024 attack in the Kursk region, hopes for a quick peace evaporated.
Some Russian officials had predicted the war could last until 2025, even before the Ukrainian incursion.
Despite this, there is frustration within Russia’s elite, particularly among high-ranking security officials who want a full mobilization to change the course of the war.
However, President Putin’s focus remains on victory, even if it means continuing the fight.
In recent months, with Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, some Russian officials saw a potential opportunity for peace.
But these hopes are no longer as high, as there is still no clear path forward. No one knows exactly what will happen once the war ends.
Kremlin officials have admitted that planning for the future is difficult because they do not know what the terms of peace will be.
At a seminar for regional officials, the end of the war was discussed, but it was clear that nobody had concrete answers on what would come next.
Some officials even suggested that Russia could hold early elections in 2025, but others doubted the logic of this idea.
There is also talk of deeper ties with Belarus, though it’s unclear if this will be part of any peace plan.
In the end, many Russians are calling for peace. Opinion polls show that most people are dissatisfied with how the war has gone and want negotiations to end the conflict.
Even pro-Kremlin sources show that two-thirds of the population is unhappy with the results of 2024.
