Putin remains uncompromising on Ukraine, but is public discourse on war changing in Russia?

Putin remains uncompromising on Ukraine, but is public discourse on war changing in Russia?9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSteve RosenbergBBC Russia EditorReutersPutin insists Russia's war aims in Ukraine are being reached, even though initial plans were for a short military operationIf Vladimir Putin's Russia had an official slogan, what would it be?"Russia is what it is, and we're not ashamed of showing it," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov once told me in an interview.That fits.But I recently heard an updated version from veteran pop and folk singer Nadezhda Babkina.After receiving an award from President Putin, Babkina told an audience in the Kremlin: "Russia will never surrender thanks to our remarkable, multi-ethnic genetic code... that holds us all together."Anyone who doesn't like that," she added, "can go and poison themselves."In many ways, the line "they can go and poison themselves" encapsulates Russia in 2026 - unapologetic, unrepentant and uncompromising.Like Vladimir Putin himself.Since ordering the mass invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin leader has displayed no regret, no remorse over his decision to attack Russia's neighbour - and no intention of ceasing hostilities.This week Russia launched another massive missile and drone strike across Ukraine.The attack came on the eve of the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum, an event designed to showcase Russia to the world.High-profile Western investors and politicians have long stopped coming. But the organisers say that delegations from more than 130 countries and territories will attend. For a country seeking foreign investment, more than four years of war with its neighbour doesn't seem the best advertisement.But, as we have established, "Russia is what it is". Forum or no forum, the attacks on Ukraine continue.President Putin's public position on the war is unwavering. He continues to dem...