War in Ukraine has divided Putin’s court

It is striking how little enthusiasm there is in Russia for Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine – but for some, it has become an opportunity to steal a march and curry favour with the boss.

Thousands of Russians have been out on the streets protesting against the conflict, despite the heavy-handed and unstinting response of the security forces. Journalists and experts, sports stars and cultural icons have been making their opposition clear as well. Even those within the system, including senior diplomats and businesspeople, aren’t trying to hide how far they were blindsided by Putin’s decision to invade, and how little they appreciated it.

After all, even at Monday’s fateful televised meeting of the Security Council, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin tried – in vain – to draw an obviously bored and impatient Putin’s attention to the country’s economic situation, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov tried – also in vain – to wriggle out of giving a straight answer on whether he approved of the president’s approach.