Vladimir Putin faces a series of new challenges

Russian President Vladimir Putin is therefore betting on prolonging the war, intensifying strikes against Ukraine and putting pressure on Kyiv's European allies, Bloomberg reports, citing informed sources.

According to the news agency, following the midterm elections to Congress, which could weaken Trump's position, the Kremlin will look for ways to secure further easing of US sanctions.

One example, according to a source close to the Kremlin, is the diesel deal announced by Trump and Putin in early October. Moscow's goal is to convince Washington that the United States and Russia can do business together without waiting for the war to end.

As the agency notes, a weakened Trump is unlikely to become more sympathetic towards Ukraine and Europe. However, he may have fewer opportunities to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into accepting an agreement, which could prompt Putin to intensify attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter.

Trilateral talks – The first test

The first test will be talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11. Putin has yet to show any willingness to abandon his territorial claims.

Meanwhile, Russia itself is facing increasingly serious challenges. According to Bloomberg, the Russian military suffered a record 54,000 casualties, including killed and wounded personnel, in October, more than it is able to recruit each month.

Since the 2025 Alaska summit, the Kremlin has added nearly $60 billion to its military budget for 2026, bringing total spending to almost $200 billion. It plans to spend the same amount in 2027.

Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov said on October 28 that consultations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia would take place after November 4 and would depend on the situation on the front lines and the "overall situation."

At the time, Zelenskyy expected the meeting to take place by November 10. Kyiv wants the trilateral talks to be held before a possible meeting between the United States, China and Russia at the APEC summit in Shenzhen.

Later, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the talks in Abu Dhabi would take place on November 10 and 11, with Vladimir Medinsky heading the Russian delegation.

No compromise on territory

Zelenskyy insisted on European participation but promised not to obstruct the meeting if the United States agreed to a trilateral format.

Kyiv will make no territorial concessions during the talks. According to the Ukrainian president, this is a "red line" that can only be discussed at the leaders' level.

As reported by Ukrainska Pravda on October 26, the Ukrainian negotiating team is seeking to broaden the scope of discussions and shift the focus away from Moscow's territorial demands towards a wider issue: the future security framework for Ukraine and Europe.