Peace in 2026: Why Putin May Lose Control of the Situation.

According to ТСН: At first glance, it may seem unlikely that peace in Ukraine in 2026 is a conceivable scenario. However, the situation may change, and the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin may face serious challenges to his regime.

Retired British Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, who previously commanded NATO forces in response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, shared his thoughts in an article for The Telegraph.

He noted that Donald Trump's statements about an almost finalized peace agreement with Ukraine caused panic in Moscow. This manifested in traditional Kremlin manners: disinformation and reckless behavior.

One example is the Russian fake about a drone attack by Ukraine on Putin's residence, while the CIA stated that it was likely a false flag operation.

“This is a clumsy and insidious attempt to sabotage a peace process that is quickly slipping out of the Kremlin's control. Even more damaging for Putin is that his own population is beginning to doubt this narrative. When propaganda collapses from within, regimes change quickly,”

– emphasized Hamish de Bretton-Gordon.

He also said that Putin realizes that the only lever left for him is to try to sever the connection between Trump and Zelensky. Last year, Washington seemed poised against Russia, but now the situation has changed. Trump is becoming increasingly less vulnerable to Kremlin manipulations, and the quiet yet productive interaction among members of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' may lead the White House to a peace that, while imperfect for Ukraine, will turn out to be significantly worse for Moscow.

Strategic Losses for Russia

The expert noted that although the proposed solution seems unacceptable to Kiev, as it entails Ukrainian territory, which was illegally invaded, losing about 17% of its sovereign territory, the strategic situation for Russia has significantly worsened. Putin planned to conquer Ukraine in three days, but after four years of war and approximately 1.5 million casualties, he has suffered serious losses.

Additionally, security guarantees from the USA and NATO for 15 years effectively become a protection for Ukraine. Particularly alarming for the Kremlin is Trump's discussion of the possibility of Western troops' presence in the region, which worsens the situation for Putin, as such consequences as defeat cannot be hidden.

Economic Crisis in Russia

The economic consequences are also substantial. The retired colonel emphasized that after the freezing of the front lines, Trump, rather than Putin, will lead negotiations with Kiev regarding access to rare earth minerals in Donbas. The financial situation in Russia, considering the potential confiscation of frozen assets amounting to 200 billion dollars, looks increasingly dire.

Nuclear Threats and Their Decline

Despite concerns about nuclear escalation, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon noted that conventional threats from the Kremlin have noticeably decreased in recent weeks. This is not coincidental, as Moscow realizes that nuclear intimidation no longer works on European leaders.

“For the first time in many years, there are genuine grounds for cautious optimism. If Trump continues to pressure Putin, and European NATO states continue to rebuild reliable military might, the only language the Kremlin respects, then 2026 may indeed bring a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,”

– summarized de Bretton-Gordon.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that Putin is trying to undermine the peace process by shifting the blame to Ukraine.