Solovyov's shocking hint: Putin's resignation stirs Kremlin unease

On the Kremlin, it's boiling. Did Vladimir Solowjow, a well-known propagandist of the Russian regime, suggest the resignation of Vladimir Putin while talking about holding those responsible for failures in the Kursk region accountable?

Chief Russian propagandist Vladimir Solowjow, host of a popular talk show, spoke about the situation in the western regions of Russia. He said that Ukrainian "terrorist" attacks on Russian soil must have consequences.

He also suggested the execution of members of the "Navalny network" as traitors. A wave of comments and real agitation—even in the Kremlin—was provoked by what he said shortly afterward.

- For me, the colour of the cat is not important, but whether it catches the mouse. So let's look for specific solutions. If it requires the resignation of the supreme commander (...) let's use many years of experience and make decisions that are needed here and now - he said on air.

By allowing the possibility of the resignation of the supreme commander—the head of the armed forces—he was thus talking about the resignation of President Vladimir Putin himself.

This statement froze the program participants; surprise and even fear could be heard. Duma deputy Andrei Guruliov was visibly irritated.

Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs, shared a fragment of the program on the X service.

The words spoken on the television program confused me, especially in the Kremlin. The problem is that no one is entirely sure what Sołowjow said. As “Newsweek” explains, citing Russian media, there might have been a misunderstanding. The guests heard the journalist say "otstavka," which in Russian means resignation.

Another version explains that the program host might have said "Stavka." This was the name of the Soviet Union's high command during the war with Germany. In this case, the journalist was calling for establishing this body in connection with the foreign invasion of Russia.

Some observers see this as a larger plan by the Russian leader himself. Władimir Sołowjow is Putin's favourite among journalists. It is to him that Putin gives interviews and even sends birthday wishes, publishing them on the Kremlin's website.

There are speculations that this is a plot by Putin himself. It would be about introducing the topic of the president's resignation into the public sphere to see who is loyal and who is not.