"Putin's Plan: Squeezing Russia's Elite to Fund Wider NATO Conflict"
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly preparing to squeeze Russia's wealthy elite to fund a potential future conflict with NATO, according to analysts. This move is seen as a departure from the longstanding implicit agreement between Putin and the country's wealthy, signaling a shift in priorities towards boosting military spending. The Institute for the Study of War highlighted Putin's recent criticisms of the rich loyalists and his emphasis on the importance of workers and military servicemen as the real elite. Analysts believe that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conventional conflict with NATO, with indications of military expansion and readiness.