As war in Ukraine enters a 5th year, will the ‘Putin consensus’ among Russians hold?

Polling in Russia suggests strong support for President Vladimir Putin. Yet below the surface, popular sentiment is more mixed.

By: Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University and Elizaveta Gaufman, University of Groningen, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 21, 2026

Words: 1,558

Last Updated: 1 day, 11 hours ago

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By Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University and Elizaveta Gaufman, University of Groningen

Perceived wisdom has it that the longer a war goes on, the less enthusiastic a public becomes for continuing the conflict. After all, it is ordinary citizens who tend to bear the economic and human costs.

And yet, as the war following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 enters its fifth year, the attitude of the Russian public remains difficult …

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