Germany Gref, the head of Russia's state-controlled Sberbank and one of the country's most prominent bankers, has publicly urged President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine, citing deep public concern over the nation's deteriorating economic situation.
Gref stated in a state television interview that the primary worry for most Russians is the "rapid end of hostilities." His unprecedented plea comes as a poll indicates that 81% of Russians desire an end to the conflict, the highest percentage since the war began, according to the Kyiv-based Russian Institute for Conflict Study and Analysis.
The banker has previously highlighted the war's detrimental impact on the Russian economy, pointing to issues such as long petrol queues, declining wages, redundancies, soaring prices, and high interest rates. "We have already overcooled the economy," Gref warned.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Minister has cautioned that the country has a limited window of opportunity, estimated between six and nine months, to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
In a separate interview, Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, indicated that Ukrainian forces are preparing for a potential new Russian offensive from the north, specifically from the Bryansk region of Russia. He stated that such an operation would likely aim to capture territory in Ukraine's Chernihiv region and stretch Ukrainian reserves along the front lines, rather than an attempt to advance on Kyiv.
Syrskyi also suggested that Russian troops are showing signs of exhaustion, with a reported 30% decline in the intensity of front-line battles. This comes as Ukrainian forces continue long-range strikes targeting Russian facilities, particularly within the oil industry.
Syrskyi expressed doubt about Belarus increasing its involvement in the conflict, despite allowing Russian forces to use its territory for the initial invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously warned Belarus against further participation, and the stations Kyiv alleged were used to attack Ukraine have since ceased operating.
