Russian President Vladimir Putin might be losing on the battlefield, at least for the moment, but it’s a mistake to count out the master of the Kremlin. It’s not even enough to diminish the Russian leader’s influence in Europe. It’s not even enough to diminish the Russian leader’s influence in Europe, with Sweden and Italy on the precipice of forming new governments that could tilt toward him as well. From left; Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President in Tehran on July 19, 2022. Will they want their political futures hitched to Putin as the Ukraine war drags further on his image and capabilities?

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