This opinion was expressed by Serhiy Hromenko, PhD in History, expert at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future, on the Espreso TV channel.
"In theory, the “sobering up” of Russians is possible in the same way as the awakening of the Germans after World War II. It took Germany 30 years to finally denazify itself, after a total defeat, occupation of the country, unconditional condemnation of the Nazi regime, etc. It will most likely take even longer for the Russians. It may take 40 years or 50 years, but it will certainly not be less than Germany's. That is why we should put aside naïve hopes that the day after Putin's death, Russia will come to its senses. It will happen, but not immediately," he said.
It is important for Ukrainians to understand that Putin is not the primary source, but the final point of development of Russian imperialist ideology, Hromenko said.
"It was not Putin who lured the Russian population to war against Ukraine. Russia is a country with a certain tradition. The tougher the tyrant is today, the more painful and bloody the grief after his death tomorrow. Again, this does not mean that when Putin dies, the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine will begin the next day, or that one Kremlin tower will shoot at another in Moscow. But ultimately, the Russian Federation is steadily heading towards this ending," he added.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will end the war in Ukraine when he realizes that Russia cannot win on the battlefield.