'Economy is key': researcher predicts what may bring down Putin’s regime

He shared his opinions on Espreso TV.

“By fully controlling the propaganda machine, telling and interpreting any events in its own way, the Kremlin can sell cooperation with terrorist organizations as establishing a partnership with old friends. In general, they can even say that they want to return to proper Stalinism,” said Mahaletskyi.

The researcher emphasized that war losses have no impact on Russians. The Kremlin will lose control only under conditions of a severe economic collapse.

"Frankly speaking, Russians have a demand for even harsher rule — up to a return to the Yezhovshchina era, and so on. There is no bottom for Russians. They will continue this course. However, the accumulation of mistakes by the Putin regime is still happening. At some point, it will simply explode. The only question is when and what it will lead to. Unfortunately, given the nature of this nation, their indifference to themselves and to killings, the 'fridge effect' will work again. It will unfold just like in 1917 and 1991. A key factor in what will once again destroy the empire will be its ungovernability. When the vertical power structure loses control amid economic hardship, the need for change will arise, and it will come very rapidly," he added.

• On Wednesday, May 14, European Union ambassadors approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, along with additional restrictions. At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for stricter restrictions on Russia from Ukraine's partners if it keeps undermining peace talks.
• On Tuesday, May 20, the European Union approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The package targets nearly 200 ships of the so-called Russian "shadow fleet."