Experts believe that Putin will refuse to hold peace talks with Ukraine regardless of whether Trump or Harris is elected president, as Moscow intends to continue offensives despite heavy defeats.
According to CNN’s Lauren Kent, Putin is unlikely to enter into peace negotiations with Ukraine no matter who wins the US presidential election.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously stated that Russia closely monitors US policy and that Moscow’s willingness for negotiations “depends on elections in the United States.”
Donald Trump has proposed that Kyiv no longer receive support for its war effort. He claimed he could end the conflict in “one day” with a peace plan that Trump’s nominee for vice president JD Vance closely aligned with Putin’s requirements.
Analysts suggest, however, that a change of leadership in the US may not lead peace negotiations.
Thomas Graham, an expert in Russian foreign policy, told CNN that it is unclear what Trump thinks he can achieve, or how much leverage he has.
Experts suggest that Putin is trying to exploit perceived Western political divisions and dysfunction. John Lough, associate fellow of Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Program told CNN that Ukraine is “just a means to a end, and the goal is to further reduce US influence in international matters.”
Ukrainian commanders have reported increased Russian troop deployments on the battlefield. NATO reports that more than 600 000 Russian soldiers have died or been injured in the conflict. CNN reports that Putin seems willing to accept the high casualties despite these losses.
CNN interviewed Ukrainian military personnel who indicated that Russia has advantages in drones and aircraft suitable for autumn and Winter combat.
CNN reports that “if a Trump administration were to cut US aid, Ukraine’s military would be increasingly outgunned.”
Zelenskyy, who spoke to reporters on 31st October, said that he continues to seek bipartisan backing.
“If [Trump] wants to force Ukraine give up everything to reach a deal, I don’t believe that’s possible.”
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