Vladimir Putin is under pressure, but the Intelligence Service sees no alternative in Russia now.
“We see no alternative to Putin in Russia. They have a very long tradition of strong leaders. To envision a different framework of governance – that would take a long time to mature in Russia,” the head of the Intelligence Service, Nils Andreas Stensønes, stated during the Security Conference, organized by the National Security Authority on Wednesday.
Stensønes pointed out that Putin is under pressure due to lack of progress in the war, sanctions from the West, and unrest among the oligarchs.
However, it is difficult to judge the stability of such a closed regime, Stensønes noted.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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Some years ago, then chief of intelligence General Kjell Grandhagen – who very sadly died a few years ago – floored everyone saying Putin was the best of the alternatives.
Those would probably be former Duma/parliament leader and now FSB/KGB director Naryshkin backed by Chief of Staff Gerasimov. And previously moderate former president Dmitry Medvedev has been extremely angry at the West as well, for denying Russia a fair security treaty and for supporting the war against it.
By contrast, Putin has been moderate and often hesitant. These fellows are realists and would not hesitate.
The more we threaten and even support war against Russia, the less chance democracy has in it.
Plus, this could completely blow up at any time.