Putin can no longer claim victory in Ukraine, Nobel Peace Prize winner tells BBC

A Russian Nobel laureate has declared that there can be no victory in the war in Ukraine, according to remarks made during a recent interview with the BBC. Dmitrij Muratov, co-founder of Novaya Gazeta and winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, stated that Vladimir Putin cannot claim a military success in the conflict, which has become the deadliest in Europe since World War II. Muratov emphasized that Novaya Gazeta, once a symbol of independent journalism in Russia, has been effectively destroyed after the Kremlin nationalized its printing presses and revoked its operating license. The Moscow office of the newspaper is now silent and empty, he said. Muratov described how his newspaper, which had exposed human rights abuses and corruption for over three decades, was targeted following its efforts to defend freedom of expression. The Nobel Committee had previously noted that six journalists from Novaya Gazeta were killed, including Anna Politkovskaya, who wrote extensively about the Chechen wars. Despite receiving international recognition for courageous reporting, the newspaper has not received protection from the authorities. “Putin issued a decree, and the printing houses have been nationalized. Our operating permit has been taken away,” Muratov explained. While the website still exists online, access within Russia is blocked unless users employ a virtual private network (VPN). The fate of Novaya Gazeta reflects a broader crackdown on free speech in Russia, which has accelerated since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Muratov noted that hundreds of individuals shaping public opinion have been labeled foreign agents, extremists, or terrorists. He estimated that at least 1,500 people have been imprisoned since the beginning of the special military operation due to their opposition to government policy, a number three times higher than during the worst days of the KGB in the Soviet Union. Despite ongoing claims by Putin that Russia is winning the war, Muratov insists that such a victory is impossible. “There will be no victory. What has happened over nearly five years, regardless of how it ends, can no longer be considered a victory,” he argued. He warned that the situation with Ukraine is such that it could either be destroyed through further escalation, potentially even involving nuclear weapons, or remain unmanageable. When asked whether Putin might actually use nuclear weapons, Muratov expressed caution. “All these political analysts who talk about what Putin thinks and fears are charlatans. That’s in the realm of astrology. No one knows what goes on in Vladimir Putin’s mind, not even me.” Muratov continued by highlighting how Putin’s rhetoric about securing Russia’s safety has failed to deliver tangible results. He questioned whether security has truly increased given the rise in drone attacks, fuel shortages, mobile internet disruptions, and political prisoners. Despite declining popularity polls, Muratov believes Putin maintains firm control over the country. “I don’t believe the stories about divisions among elites or secret conspiracies. The country is run by Vladimir Putin. People are afraid of him,” he said. This fear, he added, supports Putin’s main base, the Federal Security Service (FSB). Although critical of the government, Muratov does not harbor illusions about the West either. “Putin very well knows the true value of European leaders. On one hand, they talk about human rights, and he laughs loudly because with the other hand, they sign contracts with Russia regarding oil, gas, and diamonds,” Muratov remarked. He noted that when Europeans speak about their values, Putin genuinely laughs, knowing the disparity between their words and actions. Muratov’s comments underscore the deepening divide between Russia and the West, as well as the internal challenges faced by the Russian state under prolonged conflict. His perspective offers insight into the complex dynamics shaping the current geopolitical landscape.