Putin’s adversary warns Europe: a new Cold War is imminent
The ongoing deterioration of international relations and escalating tensions between Russia and the West have once again raised the specter of a prolonged conflict.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a prominent critic of the Kremlin and former billionaire, warns European nations to prepare for the inevitability of a new Cold War, which he predicts could last at least another decade.
During this period, the only effective deterrent against further Russian aggression, according to his forecast, will be the belief by President Vladimir Putin that the West presents a genuine military threat.
Khodorkovsky emphasizes that modern Russia’s strategies are rooted in hybrid warfare tactics aimed at destabilizing Western countries and sowing discord among allies.
He notes with irony that drones are considered among the most potent weapons, yet their impact on Russia’s vast territory remains limited due to the immense scale of its assets.
Despite numerous sanctions imposed by the West, Khodorkovsky states that their influence is insignificant and cannot alter Kremlin policies.
He is skeptical about the ability of drone strikes or other military measures to cripple Russia’s war machinery, given the enormous size of its military sites across Siberia and other regions.
Khodorkovsky points out that traditionally, Russian dictators tend to leave office around the ages of 70 to 80, and President Putin, now 73, is nearing that age.
Recent attempts by Russia to fabricate criminal cases against Khodorkovsky and to accuse him of forming terrorist organizations further demonstrate that the Kremlin will persist in repressions against political opponents.
Given these developments, prospects for de-escalation appear very slim, and significant policy changes in Russia are unlikely in the near future.