Solovyov's shock remark: Did Putin's top propagandist call for resignation?

The Kremlin is boiling. Did Vladimir Solovyov, a well-known propagandist of the Russian regime, suggest the resignation of Vladimir Putin while discussing holding those responsible for the failures in the Kursk region accountable?

The chief Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, host of a popular talk show, spoke about the situation in the western regions of Russia. He said that Ukrainian "terrorist" attacks on Russian soil must have consequences.

He also suggested executing members of the "Navalny network" as traitors. This statement, especially what he said moments later, caused a wave of comments and genuine turmoil—even in the Kremlin.

- For me, the colour of the cat is not important, but whether it catches the mouse. Let’s look for concrete solutions. If it requires the resignation of the supreme commander (...) let's use our years of experience and make the decisions that are needed here and now - he said on air.

Allowing for the possibility of the resignation of the supreme commander—the commander-in-chief of the armed forces—he thus spoke of President Vladimir Putin's resignation himself.

This statement froze the programme's participants; you could hear their surprise and fear. Duma Deputy Andrei Gurulyov was visibly irritated.

Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian Interior Minister, shared a fragment of the programme on platform X.

The words spoken in the TV programme caused confusion, especially in the Kremlin. The problem is that no one is entirely sure what Solovyov said. As "Newsweek" explains, citing Russian media, there could have been a misunderstanding. The guests heard the journalist say "otstavka," which in Russian means resignation.

Another version explains that the programme host might have said "stavka." This was the high command of the Soviet Union during the war with Germany. In this case, the journalist was calling for establishing this body in connection with the foreign invasion of Russia.

Some observers see a larger plan by the Russian leader. Vladimir Solovyov is Putin's favourite among journalists. To him, Putin gives interviews and even sends birthday wishes, publishing them on the Kremlin's website.

There are speculations that Putin himself is involved in this intrigue. The idea is to introduce the topic of the president's resignation into the public domain to test who is loyal and who is not.