Putin's Expectations for a Prolonged War in Ukraine, Without Relying on Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that he expects a long war in Ukraine, stating that any ceasefire could be used by Kyiv to rearm and that the outcome of the 2024 US election would not change Russia's policy. Putin claimed that Ukraine's counteroffensive had failed and that the Ukrainian army had sustained heavy losses. He also criticized the West's supply of weapons to Ukraine, stating that it would not change the ultimate outcome of the war. Putin defended his pivot towards Asia and accused the West of trying to deter China from having close relations with Russia.