US officials see weakened Putin as Russia turmoil reveals 'cracks'

A police officer guards the closed Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 25, 2023. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The unprecedented challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Wagner fighters has exposed fresh "cracks" in the strength of his leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday.

Blinken and members of the U.S. Congress said in a series of television interviews that Saturday's turmoil in Russia has weakened Putin in ways that could aid Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces within its territory while benefiting Russia's neighbors, including Poland and the Baltic states.