Sberbank CEO Gref Says Russians Want the War to End

Herman Gref's Statement on Ending Hostilities

According to ХВИЛЯ: Herman Gref, the head of Sberbank, stated that the Russian people wish to see an end to the fighting. His remarks came during the bank's annual general meeting of shareholders and were first highlighted by the publication 'Meduza'. The quote was shared via the RBC Telegram channel, but the post disappeared less than three minutes after publication and was restored roughly an hour and a half later. On RBC's website, the news article remained accessible throughout that entire period.

The Situation in Russia

According to data from Kyiv's Institute for the Analysis of Russia, 81% of Russians support ending the war 'tomorrow'-the highest figure since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Gref's statement came amid a worsening fuel crisis in Russia, where gasoline prices rose by 3% and diesel prices by 2.7% between June 16 and June 22. Bloomberg noted this was the largest weekly increase in fuel prices in at least 20 years.

However, despite growing public concern, Vladimir Putin has stated he has no intention of ending the war against Ukraine. In an interview on June 29, Putin rejected a proposal to limit hostilities to the four occupied regions, stating:

“Our tasks do not include saving the Kyiv regime.” - Vladimir Putin

These statements indicate the conflict will continue, even as pressure from the population on the government mounts.

Gref's remarks may signal rising discontent within Russian society over the war's trajectory, particularly amid the economic strain caused by surging fuel prices. This could serve as a warning to Russian authorities of the need to adjust their strategy in the face of growing public pressure. Yet, despite these internal sentiments, President Putin's stance remains unchanged, pointing to a prolonged conflict with increasingly negative consequences for Russia's economy and society as a whole.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has significant implications for Russia's economy, particularly in light of recent developments. As highlighted in a related report, Ukraine's strategic strikes on Russian oil refineries could further exacerbate the economic challenges faced by the Kremlin. This backdrop of heightened tensions and economic uncertainty may intensify public sentiment regarding the war, making Gref's comments even more relevant in the current context.