Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to prolong the war by stepping up attacks on Ukraine and increasing hybrid pressure on European countries that support Kyiv, reports The Moscow Times, citing Bloomberg. The decision stems from the Russian leader’s belief that his American counterpart, Donald Trump, will be unable to force Ukraine to accept a peace deal on Moscow’s terms, the report adds.
Bloomberg also reports that Putin expects the White House’s position to weaken after Tuesday’s congressional elections and will seek new ways to further ease U.S. sanctions against Russia, following the precedent set by the diesel deal Trump announced in early October.
The American news agency cites a source close to the Kremlin as saying that the Russian leadership’s goal is to convince Trump that the United States and Russia can pursue mutually beneficial business deals without first ending the war in Ukraine.
A Trilateral Meeting with Low Expectations
Trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Moscow has once again sent Vladimir Medinsky, an adviser to the Russian president, to take part in the discussions.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the new round of talks would focus on potential postwar security arrangements, easing tensions, humanitarian measures, and the next steps toward peace.
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