Putin’s War: End or Escalate? Forum Elite Split

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russia’s top business and political leaders delivered a stark message: the country must either end the conflict in Ukraine or face even greater sacrifices. President Vladimir Putin, however, appeared to signal a different path—one of prolonged war. The conference, usually focused on investment and growth, turned into a debate on Russia’s future. Elites expressed growing concern over economic strain and military losses. Yet Putin’s public remarks offered no indication of a ceasefire. The question now hangs over the Kremlin: will the war continue, or does a shift lie ahead?