In the end, the Russian elites rallied around Putin, and the conflict fizzled. That’s no surprise; they owe their positions to him. But average people did nothing to support the government; the residents of Rostov actually cheered the Wagner fighters on their way out. Why should they lift a finger to help the regime? Putin has brought them nothing but economic troubles and a war they never requested. This was a battle purely for Putin’s puppets; it had nothing to do with them.
Things don’t exactly look great for the judo master at this point. The war is a massive failure. Finland is now part of NATO, with Sweden likely to follow. The Russian economy has survived, but is hardly thriving. Russia has lost influence to China in the rest of the former USSR; it is, in fact, practically a Chinese vassal state at this point. The most productive citizens of the country have fled. Russia’s only significant export will lose most of its value once electric cars dominate the market. Finally, and most importantly, Putin is 70, and has no obvious successor. It is unlikely his neo-feudal system will survive him without major changes and challenges.
Two people–both foreigners–could save his bacon. Xi might be able to give him weapons to win the war, although that seems highly unlikely at this point. His other potential savior, of course, is Donald Trump.
America, it’s up to you. A vote for Trump is nothing less than a vote for Putin and his corrupt, militaristic autocracy. Is that what you want?