Russia faces a series of setbacks on the battlefield against Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin only knows how to do one thing, according to one of his most prominent critics: “escalate.”That’s because Putin views the prospect of losing power as an “existential threat,” according to Bill Browder, a U.S.
investment fund manager who has influenced Western governments into clamping down on corrupt Russian officials.“If Putin were ever to lose power in Russia, he would lose all the money that he’s stolen over the last 22 years.
He would go to jail, and he would die,” Browder said in a Thursday interview for The West Block with host Mercedes Stephenson, aired Sunday.“So for Putin, he views it as an existential threat.
He cannot lose power.” Russia claims 4 ‘new regions’ as Putin declares annexation in parts of Ukraine The Russian president has faced a series of setbacks in recent weeks — on the battlefield in Ukraine and at home.Ukrainian forces have been gaining ground in a counteroffensive they’ve been waging, which was first launched in late August.