Putin's Support Slips as US Envoys Return to Moscow and Kyiv

Russian analysts have observed a shift in public support for both President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. While the president still holds a majority's backing, it is no longer the strong support seen previously, and the trend is clearly downward, with potential for growing protest sentiment. Last week, US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited both Moscow and Kiev. It was Witkoff's eighth trip to Moscow, following an eight-month gap, and notably the first time the envoys traveled to Kiev. Russia attacked Kiev and Boryspil airport areas on the night of September 5, forcing the envoys to take a train to Kiev. The long pause in visits stemmed from the US president's view that further Moscow trips were pointless while Russia seeks Ukraine's capitulation rather than compromise. Putin's position is now weaker than before, as Russian army advances have been sluggish this year while costs and casualties continue to rise.