Putin calls Russians who back the West 'scum and traitors'

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday referred to pro-Western Russians as"scum and traitors" who needed to be removed from society, describing the war in Ukraine as part of an existential clash with the United States and setting the stage for an ever fiercer crackdown at home and even more aggression abroad.

The clash in tone indicated that even as Mr Putin was directing his officials to explore a negotiated end to a war in which Russia faced far heavier resistance than the Kremlin had anticipated, he was prepared to keep raising the stakes in his conflict with the West. "I am convinced that such a natural and necessary self-purification of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, cohesion and readiness to respond to any challenges."Authorities announced a criminal case against a popular lifestyle blogger, Ms Veronika Belotserkovskaya, for anti-war Instagram posts that"discredited the state authorities and the armed forces of the Russian Federation".

"The struggle we are waging is a struggle for our sovereignty, for the future of our country and our children." But even pro-Kremlin analysts said that Russia was becoming bogged down in a far bloodier conflict than anticipated - because Putin had apparently believed that many Ukrainian soldiers would lay down their arms rather than fight.

As a result, Mr Putin appears to be probing for an exit that would fall short of his original aim of toppling the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine - even as his military continues to pound Ukrainian cities.

The people of the land choose the government to run the place.

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