Putin Bets War Will Last: The New Doctrine Steering Russia in Ukraine
Putin shows no plan to end the Ukraine war, embracing a broad “Putin doctrine” that prioritizes military aims and influence over diplomacy while Moscow faces growing economic strain and deeper social control. Trump’s bid to broker a deal has failed, and Russia maintains pressure with militarization and propaganda, betting it can endure hardship and sustain the conflict as a geopolitical pivot with the United States and China still shaping the balance of power. The postwar period, if it comes, is expected to be chaotic and contested rather than cooperative.