
Putin Pursues a 2026 Endgame: Donbas Victory and European Security Deal
Bloomberg reports Putin aims to end the Russia-Ukraine war by the end of 2026 on what he calls victorious terms, including full control over Donbas, and to secure a broader European security agreement that acknowledges Moscow’s territorial gains. Kremlin officials denied a fixed deadline; meanwhile, battlefield assessments suggest Ukraine has stabilized fronts, with mobilization and casualty dynamics adding pressure on Moscow.












