After observing the White House’s conciliatory tone, the Kremlin tested its limits: praising the U.S., attacking the EU, and striking Ukrainian cities. It has now returned to targeting the Trump administration domestically, while flattering Washington externally — a dual-track strategy of pressure and manipulation, including fake gestures like the “kind” May 9 ceasefire offer, timed to welcome Putin’s superior, Xi, in Moscow.

While Kremlin propaganda long focused on “Ukrainian Nazis,” it now frames “euronazism” as a shared threat to Moscow and Washington. A recent publication by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service advanced this line, aiming to fracture Western unity. On May 11, Putin referred to European countries supporting Ukraine as former allies of Hitler. As the Kremlin portrays its war as a fight against fascism, this return to “European Nazism” in official messaging is a dangerous shift — and a possible prelude to further aggression.

Kremlin loyalists like Solovyov praise Putin for rejecting a ceasefire, hoping he’s just stalling. More independent Z-voices show radicalism: Pavel Gubarev urged soldiers to resist disarmament, calling the government “criminal.” Though small, the Z-base is radical and dangerous if backed by parts of the military. This risk earlier prompted crackdowns on figures like Strelkov and “Thirteenth,” as the Kremlin moved to silence pro-war opinion makers — feeling emboldened after Prigozhin’s assassination and the passivity of his supporters.

A stable 61% support ending the war, while 30% favor continuing it, according to an April Levada Center poll. The gap grew by 7% in a month, a trend confirmed by both state-run and independent polls. While protests are rare and isolated, the Kremlin can’t fully ignore public opinion — especially amid rising prices and utility bills. That’s why Russian officials now try to shift blame for failed talks from Putin to Ukraine, pushing a domestic narrative that paints the Kremlin as a willing but misunderstood peace-seeker.

For over half a year, Russians have cited rising prices — not the war — as their top concern, with record numbers reporting 30%+ inflation. Many now directly link the war to the economic crisis. Public demand for peace is growing. The Kremlin also faces a labor shortage, a 11.9% hike in utility costs, and a 3.2 trillion-ruble budget deficit in Q1 2025. Putin needs sanctions relief to inject cash and regroup his army. The West must now decide: allow another war — or turn Kremlin weakness into lasting peace.