A veteran former head of America’s Central Intelligence Agency has declared Vladimir Putin’s days are over, predicting the Russian president will be ousted in a ‘Black Swan’ palace coup.
And the removal of one of the most divisive and brutal leaders in modern history was only a matter of time.
Jack Devine served three decades with the US intelligence agency and told Sun newspaper in an exclusive interview that he would not be surprised if Putin “disappeared tomorrow”.
Speculation about the future of Russia’s leadership has been high for some time, with the country’s poor performance in its war with Ukraine intensifying.
So are the endless reports of Putin’s ill health, with rumors emerging from within the Kremlin that he is close to death.
Then he faced an armed rebellion led by warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, who assembled his Wagner Group mercenaries in a strange and short-lived plot.
Prigozhin died because of his disloyalty.
But Devine, 83, who led thousands of spies on secret and classified missions around the world for 32 years, believes Putin’s death will be in the hands of those closest to him.
Vladimir Putin’s days are numbered, a former CIA chief has predicted. ZUMAPRESS.com
“Putin could be gone tomorrow, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some elements in the government have decided they’re going to take executive action,” Devine said. Sun.
Devine believes Putin has become increasingly unpredictable and dangerous – and his invasion of Ukraine has “sowed his political death”.
The Russian president continues to throw his troops into a meat grinder attack to try to secure a winter victory.
The devastated town of Avdiivka – the gateway to the main city of Donetsk 12 miles to the east – has become the war’s deadliest flashpoint as Putin tries to break the painful stalemate.
Devine believes the tyrant’s popularity will continue to decline as the war continues – but it will not stop his gruesome efforts.
Vladimir Putin’s grip on power is weakening. via REUTERS
The Russian leader will continue his fight “no matter what it takes”, Devine said.
“The more losses and the more violence Russians can see, the less people want to get involved,” he explained.
“He will have difficulty recruiting, but it is Russia. He will find a way for a strong, attractive arm.
“He will come with an army at the end of the day, but war will become less and less popular.”
The “standstill” in Ukraine is likely to see Putin ousted in a ‘Black Swan’ palace coup, especially if it looks as if Russia’s efforts are resulting in a “permanent stalemate”.
“It will be a surprise. There are always what we call ‘Black Swans’ that appear out of nowhere.
“But the failure of ‘Black Swan’ I believe the problem starts when there is a deadlock and that is now. I don’t think it will be a rebellion. I think it will be what we can call a palace coup.”
A growing number of military analysts agree that Putin’s power cannot last much longer and that the end of his reign is nearing, whether through a coup, assassination, regime fall or his failing health.
Devine said Putin’s recent behavior shows the president has become increasingly unpredictable and dangerous, and he may realize he has “sowed his political death” with the Ukraine war.
Russia continued to send countless troops into battle, suffering heavy casualties and humiliating military defeats.
As the war continues and national humiliation worsens, Devine believes Putin’s popularity will increase.
Ukraine remains determined to defeat Russian attempts at aggression and continues to receive strong support from the West.
Moreover, the European Union’s efforts to enroll Ukraine, which would offer NATO protection, represent a significant strategic loss for Putin.
Local resident Tetiana inspects her damaged flat at the site of a drone attack on a residential building in Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion. Oleg Petrasyuk/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Devine fears it won’t “get better” any time soon, with neither side willing to give up despite rising costs.
“Ukrainians will not give them territory. Putin will not withdraw.
“But you can lower the temperature. They need to calm down, when everyone realizes there is no hope for Putin to win.
“He will not lose technically. He will not be driven back to Russia. Anyone who waits for that has false hope.
“But I don’t think it’s too far. I think next year we will see almost a permanent stalemate.”
Whatever happens to Putin, Devine says the person who replaces him is unlikely to be dramatically different.
And that makes keeping an eye on the so-called ‘Axis of Evil’ China, Iran and Russia all the more important.
“They are trying to draw their allies into the alliance and axis,” he said.
“And I think we can see it shown with the Hamas attacks in Israel and how Russia played it.
“Putin’s expansionist abilities are psychological and political right now, and I think it’s in the non-European world where he’s making some progress.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
