Troll.
Well, we should consider ALL options these days, no?
I think this episode shook Putin (and Xi) to the core. Do I think Putin is going anywhere today? Nope.
What I think people need to consider is not Putin’s popularity among the citizenry (which I doubt is really 80%) and instead consider his popularity among the Oligarchs. Their wealth has been ruined and I am sure they are at their wits end.
Public perception is critical in the West. But it has NEVER been something Russian rulers considered very important.
Putin is way passed his “use boy date” just by the nature of Russian politics. The fact that he is still in control after all these years is an amazing feat for him. I doubt there are any “good” young Russians waiting in the wings. That bodes well for his lasting a bit longer.
Although, hearing Swan Lake on Moscow TV anytime soon wouldn’t be a shock either.
Troll.
I think the episode was a show staged by Putin for western consumption. The evidence of that is that Prigozhin is not dead. Other threats to Putin fall out of high windows or their cars unfortunately have an explosion incident.