Part 6/9:
Turning to the conflict itself, Professor Sussex notes that public sentiment within Russia shows signs of fatigue regarding the Ukraine war, as reflected in various polls—though trust in polling data can vary. Nevertheless, the Kremlin’s stance remains resolute: there is little incentive for Russia to cease hostilities. Instead, Russian leadership appears to aim at consolidating territorial gains in Ukraine, leveraging the ongoing conflict to strengthen its position at the bargaining table.