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Washington Post

Washington Post

US Politics

US Politics

If peace comes, Putin could face the ire of his most hard-line backers

Washington Post
Summary
Nutrition label

68% Informative

Russia 's ultranationalists are scrambling to make sense of the sudden thaw with the nation's bitterest enemy.

The war has given enormous public exposure to Russia ’s “Z community” — pro-war volunteers, military bloggers.

Many interviewed by The Washington Post said they would not accept a peace settlement unless it entailed the removal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .

Many Russian soldiers believe they have been fighting a war against NATO and the United States .

The confusion has been felt especially keenly along the front, where many believe they are fighting against NATO .

A former Putin aide says hard-line nationalists in the military and security services see “enemies everywhere” but have little influence in Kremlin .