How the Kremlin Plans to Convince Russians They Won the War in Ukraine. Leaked slide deck translated
A leaked February 2026 presentation from Sergei Kiriyenko's office shows how Putin's domestic-policy team plans to sell Russians a partial peace deal as
This is a slide-by-slide English translation of an internal Kremlin deck published this month by the Dossier Center. It demonstrates how Putin’s office plans to sell the end of the war to the parts of the domestic audience still expecting unconditional victory. For what to make of it, read my commentary here.
Publishing the translation here is not an endorsement or approval of its contents.
Slide 1 — After Victory (Cover)
Slide 2 — Expectation and Reality
RISKS (left column)
WWII remains the only reference image of VICTORY in the public mind. This time it will be different.
No “Act of Surrender.” Wars haven’t ended that way for a long time. Even WWII dragged on after Germany’s surrender and Japan’s first act of surrender.
No “We took Kyiv.” That was never the objective.
“Denazification” is being carried out on the battlefield.
At the time of the framework agreement, Zelensky will most likely still be in power.
In the information age, victory is never one-sided. The US, the West, and Ukraine will frame their own — as we saw with Iran, the US, and Israel in summer 2025. Western media are already prepping the line: “Ukraine’s survival is its victory.”
There will probably be a framework agreement first. Standard practice in complex conflicts. But easy to spin as another “Khasavyurt” or “New Minsk.”
The agreement will be a compromise, to one degree or another.
MOST LIKELY SCENARIO (Right column)
Format. A framework peace agreement. Likely US–Russia and US–Ukraine.
Territories. All of the DPR and LPR transfer to Russia. Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts split along the line of contact. Russian forces withdraw from Sumy and Kharkiv.
Demilitarization. Neutral status. A buffer zone.
Denazification. Symbolic, limited.
Sanctions. The US lifts theirs. European sanctions stay in place.
Money. Part of the frozen assets goes to rebuilding war-affected territories — both in Ukraine and in Russia.
Slide 3 — The Image of Victory. Argumentation
The peace Putin achieved is a huge victory. Putin made the West bend. We thwarted the West’s plans to expand and prolong the conflict.
Victory over whom? Over international imperialism and globalism. Not Ukrainian nationalism — a far stronger, more skilled, more powerful enemy: the united West.
Victory for what? To protect our compatriots, the Russian people of the Donbas. Russia defended Russians and showed we don’t abandon our own. We built a shield for Russian-speakers across all of Ukraine.
Russia won, and won big. Gains: territory, people, resources. More than one-fifth of Ukraine (117,000 sq km) — an area the size of Bulgaria, Greece, or North Korea. Coal, rare earths. Especially fertile soil in Kherson and Zaporizhia. A land corridor to Crimea. The entire Sea of Azov coast — new resorts and recreation zones for millions of Russians. Millions of new fellow citizens, ethnically Russian.
The masks are off; everything is in its place. The whole world has now seen who is right and who is wrong. We showed that we are tougher, taller, better, more humane. The Ukrainian Nazis showed they really are Nazis, sadists, and moral degenerates. The Ukrainian elites had a full coming-out.
There will be no Ukraine after the defeat. Politicians aren’t saying it out loud, but Ukraine will cease to exist within 10–15 years. No people, no money, enormous debts, factories that don’t run and never will. Everything sold off. People are fleeing.
The EU is stagnating after its defeat. Brussels has shown its helplessness. It dragged its members into a needless, counterproductive standoff with Moscow. Every EU country is economically worse off. The EU is fractured.
Respect for the victor. Most of the world stood with us. During the SMO, our neighbors were sort of helping us while also testing us. After the victory, that’s behind us. Looking ahead, our victory could lead to integration around Russia.
Know when to stop. Going too far is defeat. Continuing the SMO would be a Pyrrhic victory.
Strength in unity. Those who left were the so-called elites who first betrayed and then fled. Russia has been cleansed and has closed ranks — that is our victory.
The joys of victory. Airports reopen, sanctions come off, trade picks up. Crucially for the defense industry: Russian weapons have been battle-tested — orders for Russian arms and Russian food will be huge again.
Slide 4 — Problem Audiences
“Armchair ultrapatriots” — Track: Pride / Risks of Continuing the War
Characteristics:
Extreme emotionality
Did not personally serve in the SMO
Tunnel vision — one image of victory: “all the way to Kyiv,” “capitulation”
Dominant in the public conversation
Approaches:
“Emotional flip” of their frontmen
Signal that “discrediting” the army is off-limits
Rationalization — why this is a Victory, why now, why dragging it out would have hurt Russia
Amplify moderate voices in the media
Veteran-ultrapatriots — Track: Pride / Risks of Continuing the War
Characteristics:
Share the ultrapatriot image of victory, but have a right to be angry
Socioeconomic losses, personal triggers
Capable of organizing and acting decisively; can attract media attention
Approaches:
Environment control, support through the Foundation and veterans’ organizations
Emotional alignment — acknowledging negative emotions, mourning losses, validating disappointments
Channeling into conventional social activity (memorial events, future-oriented discussions, integration into political parties, rebuilding the territories)
A new contract — deployment to the Africa Corps on overseas missions
The tired, who want a normal life — Track: Win — For the Sake of Life
Characteristics: desire for a full return to “normal life,” expectation of a social thaw and growth.
Approaches:
Showcase “good news”
Restore normalcy — communications, flights
A traditional postwar amnesty (for those who spoke out in support of peace)
Defense-industry and NGO staff — Track: Win — For the Sake of Life
Characteristics: fear of losing income and work; possible layoffs; a drop in core activity.
Approaches:
Oversight, support
Showcase opportunities — promote export wins, replenish reserves, conversion (e.g., into drones)
Slide 5 — The Pride Track. Key Messages
HOORAY! RUSSIA HAS WON. THIS IS BEYOND DISPUTE.
Russia defended its independence and uniqueness, its right to decide its own fate. Victory confirms we are on the right path.
And the right of every country to sovereignty. We changed the world. (Putin, 2022: “in the new world order, everyone must hear everyone out, take into account every point of view — every people, every society, every culture, every worldview, every set of ideas and religious convictions, without imposing a single truth on anyone, and only on this basis, recognizing our responsibility for the fate of peoples and the planet, build the symphony of human civilization.”)
Russia defended justice. Saved our own. Prevented a humanitarian catastrophe in the Donbas.
Russia’s strength is recognized worldwide. Held the line against 50 countries. Nazism and globalization bowed before our might.
Maximum result without general mobilization and without putting the entire economy and daily life on a war footing.
Gained territory and won recognition.
ANYONE WHO BELITTLES THE VICTORY IS NO PATRIOT OF RUSSIA.
WE BELIEVE IN THE PRESIDENT. ONCE AGAIN HE OUTPLAYED THEM ALL! PUTIN KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING — BETTER THAN ANYONE.
WE’RE PROUD OF OUR OWN. WARRIOR-VICTORS. AN IMMORTAL FEAT.
Our army turned out to be the most combat-capable in the world, facing down the full might of the West.
We have grown more united as a society — that, too, is a victory.
The military, labor, and spiritual feats of ordinary people expanded Russia’s possibilities. We also discovered that anyone can become a “big person.”
Org. measures (the block with the image on the right): celebratory events; award ceremonies; congratulations from senior officials; interpretation of the meaning of unconditional victory; meetings with veterans; mourning rites and memorials. A signal to ultrapatriot influencers — including on the inadmissibility of “discrediting” the army.
Slide 6 — Risks of Continuation. Key Messages
The continuation that fringe ultrapatriots are demanding would mean abandoning core positions — declaring general mobilization, putting the entire economy and daily life on a war footing, losing years. Expensive. And no payoff to be had — we couldn’t feed 30 million Ukrainians anyway.
Economic risks. Good thing we didn’t tip into economic catastrophe. Putin’s goal is the country’s peaceful development and the quality of people’s lives — he has always said so. But in a war of attrition, development takes a back seat.
Tightening sanctions pressure (we lost European markets during the SMO)
Resource depletion
Likely tax and fee hikes
Layoffs as business has to adapt
Cuts to social spending
Inflation
Security.
Possible mobilization — somehow our armchair patriots aren’t lining up to serve
Strikes deep into Russian territory
Drones, “Carpet” alerts at airports (the air-defense protocol that grounds flights)
Rising terrorist pressure from the Ukrainian regime
Demographic risks.
We can’t afford to fall into a new demographic hole
Russia needs people. We have to work for the future. And it shouldn’t be migrants who fill the gap.
Geopolitical risks.
Possible erosion of our position in the world
The US could outmaneuver us in the contest over zones of influence and the architecture of the new world order
Risk of losing position in promising territories — the Arctic and elsewhere
The country’s and people’s image. Russia is no aggressor. We won with dignity. We’re capable of finishing Ukraine off, but we are not at war with the country or its people — we are simply protecting our own citizens. We came to bring peace, as the Russian soldier always does.
Org. measures (the block with the image on the right): expert appearances; individual expert statements; reviews and analytical pieces; social media commentary; demonstrating that this position aligns with anti-Russian European maximalists (i.e., framing those who demand continuation as in agreement with hawks hostile to Russia).
Slide 7 — The Win-for-the-Future Track. Key Messages
Finally, we are returning to normal life.
Life is becoming safe and comfortable again. Air-raid alerts are over. Terror attacks on airports and residential neighborhoods are over. Normal mobile service is back. You no longer have to fear for yourself or your children.
Resources and attention are shifting to the simple, day-to-day questions of life on the ground.
You feel the stability immediately. There will be no new taxes.
It’s possible to travel again, and goods are returning.
Russia gained a great deal. Russia has acquired a macro-region with enormous economic potential. The cost of rebuilding is nothing compared to the gains.
Russia incorporated its historical territories with a population of about 5 million.
The Sea of Azov has become a Russian inland sea.
These territories generated up to 30% of Ukraine’s GDP. Their economic integration is underway.
Reliable water supply secured for Crimea, Sevastopol, and Donetsk.
Confirmed coal reserves in the DPR estimated at roughly 10 billion tons.
The new territories can yield at least an additional 5 million tons of grain per year.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant — Europe’s largest, capacity 6 GW.
The sanctions cost Europe dearly.
A stronger national currency.
Russia continued its socioeconomic development, opened new markets, and secured technological sovereignty.
Time to think about the future. The country has a great future ahead. Clear prospects for markets and technology. BRICS opportunities. Opportunities for children and young people, including in education.
Org. measures (the block on the right with a futuristic image): discussions of the future (round tables, forums, etc.); good news; amnesty; return of mobile service, flights, and so on.
Slide 8 — For the Sake of Life. Key Messages
A bad peace is better than a good quarrel. Victory means the blood is no longer being spilled.
Peace that saves lives and lets us move into the future — that is victory. Our forces will be redirected to peacetime problems and the management of threats. Ukraine isn’t the only thing on our plate — the country has many tasks ahead. We need the strength and resources to develop the vast territories of the Far East, Siberia, and the Arctic.
Only Europe needs the war to continue — Europe, which was bent on grinding Russia down. The strain is already showing. We cannot allow a collapse.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” Putin offered peace many times, and stopped the fighting the moment it became possible. Putin and Trump are the good guys; Biden has blood dripping from his teeth.
The heroes of the special operation died fighting for peaceful skies over our heads. By restoring peace we make their sacrifice meaningful, not in vain.
Sidebar slogan (over a silhouette of Vera Mukhina’s “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman”): “FOR THE SAKE OF LIFE ON EARTH!”
Org. measures: celebratory events; online flash mobs; criticism of the narratives coming from European maximalists and the foreign opposition, to show that the push to continue the war is unacceptable.
Slide 9 — Projects
Agenda-shaping sociology (formative polling).
Online campaigns — Victory and Memory of the Fallen.
The Future Is Everywhere. Discussions, round tables, a steady stream of news about normalization, reports on social projects and social-infrastructure build-out. IT, pharma, the creative industries — different markers of progress.
“A Celebration with Tears in Our Eyes” (quoting the Soviet Victory Day song): congratulations from leadership; celebratory events; moments of silence and remembrance of the fallen.
Integrative project — “Russia’s Victories.” A package of media formats describing the various ways conflicts have ended, dispelling the idea that capitulation is the only kind of ending. Russia’s victories beyond the Patriotic Wars of 1812 and 1945. Tying announcements to historical victory anniversaries (e.g., in the Far East — the annexation of territories under the Treaty of Aigun). An educational track — lectures, round tables, debates and other projects on what kinds of victories exist (the “Znanie” Society and the academic community, popular history bloggers).
“Russia After Victory.” A futurology agenda focused on postwar development. Round tables, media discussions, articles. In different framings: victory, win. Lecture series and media formats: “We won. The next step is the future. What will it look like?” (the “Znanie” Society, “Sirius,” regional “Growth Points” centers, blogs, documentary series).
Slide 10 — Projects (continued)
Promoting the right behavioral track for SMO veterans — public-service ads, blogs, news, artistic formats. On the model: “NN became a respected member of the community / bought a Russian car / rebuilt his house / started his own manufacturing or service company / hotel / got into a prestigious university. His fellow soldier, meanwhile, drank away everything he earned / killed himself / wound up in prison.” Promote the norm, not the extremes; push new heroes and opinion leaders to the front.
The return of “postwar” culture as a background project. Modeled on the cinema and literature of the 1960s “Thaw.” Focus on human, peacetime themes. The aesthetic of “a return to normal.” A managed thaw. Bringing humor back into the political conversation, rehabilitating the word “peace,” overturning convictions.
Lowering the temperature on radicalism and bellicosity. Limiting the media presence of the “nuclear-option” turbo-radicals. Reorienting or marginalizing the most uncompromising of them.
Media formats about BRICS and success stories in the “new international politics.” New investment projects, factories, technological partnerships — explained in plain language. Moving away from a Western-centric framing of foreign policy and culture (”what’s interesting in China, who’s at the top of the Brazilian charts, what was invented in India”).
An amnesty in honor of victory. A tradition and a marker. Russia has practiced this since the end of the Crimean War. Above all for those who spoke out in support of peace. Rehabilitation (decriminalization) of the word “peace” and of the concept itself. A peace-loving disposition is part of our character and our traditions — we have always strived for peace and continue to do so. Emphasis on Russia’s peacemaking acts throughout history — historical excursions.
Introducing symbols of the people’s sacrifice in the SMO and of the victory. Erecting monuments, opening churches, maintaining archives.
What a bunch of servile animals a people would have to be to accept this nonsense.
A really great piece of Russian Propaganda.