Putin's power play: FSB's influence and the Moldova threat
Russian political scientist Yuri Felshtinsky, who lives permanently in the U.S., is convinced that Putin will last until the end of his term. "I don't think the FSB would allow anyone else to take power," he stated. He predicts what Russia might plan next.
According to the Russian political scientist, there are currently two centres of power in Russia: the administration of Vladimir Putin and the Federal Security Service (FSB). "Even if there are changes, the FSB still runs the country," he said in an interview with "Fakt".
He added, "there has never been such a situation before". "Even during the times of the Soviet Union, the KGB, which the FSB is a successor to, was only an institution subordinate to the political leadership of the Communist Party," he argued.
In his opinion, Russia will invade Moldova as soon as they manage to get through Ukraine to Transnistria. "The open question remains whether this will happen. Currently, Russia does not have the ground forces to continue its aggressive policy," comments Yuri Felshtinsky.
Putin is not stopping
Meanwhile, Putin is looking for new allies. The State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) unanimously ratified a treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea. The agreement includes commitments of mutual military assistance if one of them finds itself in a state of war.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un declared that the agreement is "peaceful and defensive" in nature, but expressed "full support" for the war conducted by Russia against Ukraine.
