On the show this week, we ask how long Russia’s Vladimir Putin can survive. Two weeks on from the mutiny by the Wagner Group and Yevgeny Prigozhin’s challenge to his rule, we’ve seen a flurry of activity by the Russian leader to reassert his authority in Moscow. Russian history however is replete with leaders who appear unassailable, right up until the point they’re not. We discuss whether Putin’s grip is weakening, and how might Western governments react if he falls.

Also, on the show this week we look ahead, once more, to the NATO Summit in Vilnius next week. As we discussed at our London Conference special, multilateralism is being challenged everywhere and the NATO alliance is no exception. With Turkey showing no signs of budging on Sweden’s membership, Ukraine not likely to be offered membership anytime soon, and infighting over who the next Secretary General might be, can the alliance rally next week?

Joining Bronwen Maddox on the podcast this week is Tobias Ellwood MP is the chair of the UK Parliament’s Defence Select Committee; Polina Ivanova, a foreign correspondent for the Financial Times covering Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia and Mark Temnycky, a Ukrainian journalist and Associate Fellow with the Atlantic Council. 

Read our expertise:

How to end Russia’s war on Ukraine

Putin has limited options after the Prigozhin mutiny

Preparing NATO for climate-related security challenges

Fate of vulnerable minority looms over Armenia-Azerbaijan peace

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Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Robin Gardner and Abdul Boudiaf.