Putin's strategy: Turning Russia into a state perpetually at war

Russia expert Mark Galeotti writes in "The Times" that the recent changes in the Russian government indicate that Putin plans to transform his country radically. He warns that he is turning it into a permanently mobilized state, waging continuous wars with profound consequences for the rest of the world.

Mark Galeotti warns that Putin is anticipating a long war of attrition, which he believes will depend on organizing three key assets of Russia: the military-industrial complex, the population, and the will to win.

Suppose economist Andrei Belousov recently replaced longtime Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. This move is interpreted as the appointment of a long-term war planner.

The "Times" expert notes that in his speech, Belousov emphasized the priority of integrating the defence economy with the civilian one, which means adapting the country's economy to wartime needs and opening the department to innovations.

Galeotti points out that creating a state in constant war has many benefits for Putin and his entourage. The state will more closely control the economy, giving people close to Putin ample opportunities for theft.

Moreover, in a militarized state, it is easier to justify suppressing critical voices, and there is an alibi for any unfulfilled promises regarding the economy, infrastructure, and social security.

Galeotti, in an interview with West, stated that Putin will not stop in Ukraine and that it is unlikely that this conflict will be resolved in the next few years. Galeotti added that Putin has made it clear that he sees the war with Ukraine as a proxy war with the West. The historian said that although there is no credible evidence that Putin seeks to initiate a direct conflict with NATO, he sees himself as already in a state of war - economic, political, cultural and social.