CNN: Putin unlikely to negotiate regardless of US election outcome

Putin is unlikely to engage in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine regardless of who wins the upcoming US presidential election, according to analysis by CNN’s Lauren Kent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Russia is closely monitoring US policy, claiming that Moscow’s willingness to negotiate “depends on the elections in the United States.”

While Kamala Harris is expected to maintain the Biden administration’s supportive stance toward Ukraine, Donald Trump has proposed ending support for Kyiv’s war effort. He claims he could resolve the conflict “in one day,” with a peace plan Trump’s vice-presidential nominee JD Vance closely aligning with Putin’s demands.

However, analysts suggest that a change in US leadership may not lead to peace negotiations.

“What [Trump] thinks he can do, what leverage he has, is unclear at this point – but I don’t think it’s a quick process,” Thomas Graham, a Russian foreign policy expert, told CNN.

Experts indicate that Putin aims to exploit perceived Western political dysfunction and divisions. John Lough, an associate fellow at Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Program, told CNN that “Ukraine is just a means to an end, and the end is to further limit US influence in international affairs.”

Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said Putin rules out negotiations, referring to their conversation in October.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian commanders report increased Russian troop deployments. According to NATO, more than 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the conflict. Despite these losses, Putin appears willing to accept high casualties, CNN says.

Ukrainian military personnel interviewed by CNN indicate that Russia maintains advantages in drones, aircraft, and vehicles suitable for autumn and winter combat. 

“If a potential Trump administration cuts US aid, Ukraine would become increasingly outgunned,” CNN says.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continues to seek bipartisan support, telling reporters on 31 October:

“If [Trump] just wants to force Ukraine to give up everything and thus reach a deal with Russia, I don’t think that’s possible.”

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