Former Russian Premier Says Putin Recognizes Invasion of Ukraine as Mistake

Mihail Kasianov, who led Russia from 2000 to 2004, said that President Vladimir Putin is aware that the 2022 invasion of Ukraine was a strategic blunder, but he is determined to continue the path he set. Kasianov argued that Putin cannot admit the error publicly and cited faulty security-service reports that portrayed Ukraine as weak. He cautioned that the coming winter could be severe for Ukraine and called on Western governments to provide Patriot missile interceptors to counter Russian air strikes.

The former premier also linked Putin’s persistence to soaring oil prices, which are driven by the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, and to ongoing disagreements between the United States and Europe over how to handle Moscow. Finally, Kasianov portrayed Putin as relishing the conflict, believing he can win a protracted war without making concessions.