“Putin’s Disease Explained by NATO General”

Michel Yakovleff, former Vice-Chief of Staff of NATO’s SHAPE, recently shared his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mindset, explaining that the war in Ukraine is largely tied to Putin’s psychological state. In an interview with French news channel LCI, Yakovleff highlighted the Kremlin leader’s paranoia, which he believes fuels the conflict.

“The main issue is that we didn’t attack Russia,” Yakovleff stated, challenging Putin’s claims of NATO aggression. He described Putin’s need for an enemy as a “disease,” asserting, “Putin needs to feel attacked to maintain his regime.”

Yakovleff further pointed out that Putin justifies his military actions by claiming he is defending Russia, even though he is the one initiating the attacks. “From the start, he’s been attacking and saying, ‘I’m defending myself.’ That’s crazy. And whenever we take action, he accuses us of escalating.”

The general’s comments provide insight into how Putin’s narrative of constant threat and victimization shapes Russian aggression. Yakovleff warns that this psychological framework allows Putin to justify his actions while positioning Russia as a perpetual victim of Western escalation.