Is Putin planning to flee Russia? | Mark Galeotti

"Whatever the reason, it emphasises to most Russians that there is a distinct lack of good news."

President Putin has cancelled major events in Russia, inciting rumours surrounding his health and whereabouts.

However, it's unlikely he will flee to another country because leaders are unlikely to 'stick their necks' out for him, says Mark Galeotti, Russia expert at Mayak Intelligence.

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[Tech-Nick-Que]

Hello from Tbilisi, Georgia. I just want to correct Mr. Galeotti. This is not Putin's war. this is Russian war. They did the same here in Abkhazia, in the 90-s. there was no Putin at that time.

[zollen]

"Putin thought he could win easily." -This has an important implication: lasting peace depends on Ukraine being well-armed, and not at mercy of Russia’s promises.

[andrewoh]

"Dictators ride to and fro on tigers from which they dare not dismount.
And the tigers are getting hungry."
- Winston Churchill

[marshallmintz]

Russian media: President Putin, why are you so tall, dark and handsome? Putin: My daddy was too!

[chairde]

I’d like to see those Russian newscasters arrested for threatening nuclear war.

[Freedom-Fries]

There's no way he's fleeing to another country. A guy like that, so rich and presumably wanted by his own country...on the run, with wads of cash...and then wanted or tracked by basically every nation. There's just way too many people to profit from giving him up and also, there's a lot of tech out there, so he'd have to go dark...and that Bin Laden style of hunkering down doesn't seem to be his cup of tea. Putin's grip is tight there in Russia and has been in power for years. There's just no way he would go so quickly like this. The only scenario I could see where he bolts is if there were massive protests, layoffs for government workers, total financial collapse, worse news in Ukraine...all of that stuff is where they're headed, but Putin does indeed get to dodge the press and get away with it. He hasn't gone full Gestapo yet at home. I'd reckon he has a lot of power to draw from, to create his own violence at home. So, agreed with Mr. Galeotti that in Russia is where he's strongest.

[louisebean]

Putin has an appointment at The Hague for a War Crimes Prosecution Trial.

[sg_hokkien_opera]

To be honest, Putin isn’t bothered about questions about the Ukraine war. What he’s afraid of is being questioned about his height. 😂

[AntzWilkz]

Personally I think he canot be seen in public due to a constant need to change his underwear.

[jimvanlint]

'When Putin falls', it's no longer 'if'!

[Schrottkralle]

Putin once said in an interview some years ago that he'd rather die a 'nuclear death' as a martyr, than giving up or surrender.
He will never leave Russia.
That's what makes me nervous.

[patrickjones]

I worked and lived in Moscow in the 1990s. The western powers did not possess the tools to transform post Soviet Russia into a modern day Germany. The West did not occupy Russia for 10 years like it did West Germarny. The old Soviet Guard essentially switched sides and began to enrich themselves at the expense of ordinary people. The fatal move was when Yeltsin selected Putin as his succesor. Putin was really the only person who had the contacts and knowdledge to guarantee Yeltsin's security. Putin was ruthless enough to do whatever it took to subdue Chechnya. Russia was not in a position to be become a modern European democracy. It may never be in our lifetime. The current situation is totally the result of Putin's choices. Russia does not possess either the military nor economic strength to challenge the West. As Professor Kotkin has stated Russia's ambitions far exceed its capabilities.

[bjrnhjortshjandersen]

It may be refreshing to remember what happened to "Trotsky"...Russians have such great traditions.

[Ragnarok]

North Korea would probably welcome that guy.

[robertm]

I will NEVER give up on those people!! We are family now 😊!! Free people of the world UNITE !! 🇺🇦 Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[babymarifosque]

Ukrainian can never understimated
The comediane is at total warrior
with guts and mind

[George-]

An odd segment. It uses absurd speculation and silly questions to spark one's interest, and then settles down to some sober and useful analysis.

[Freedom-Fries]

Good interview. Agreed that Putin's only way out is to find a way to blame something...claim some kind of victory and then pull the troops out. He's desperate for a way to end this and just doesn't have any good choices.

[ListenToTimesRadio]

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[carlwilson]

2nd time I've come across Galeotti. He keeps making good points.