Putin won't negotiate peace in Ukraine until pressured

Vladimir Putin is unlikely to stop fighting in Ukraine until internal pressures force him to make a change next year, experts say. His recent 90-minute call with U.S. President Donald Trump indicates that he prefers to negotiate while continuing the war. According to analysts, Putin has no reason to agree to a 30-day truce now. Russian troops are making gains in Ukraine, and he believes these advances benefit him more than a ceasefire would. Putin’s indecisiveness and failure to meet his initial goals have led him to buy time. As Trump aims for a swift resolution, Putin is looking to show results to the Russian people. The so-called “semi-truce” Putin has accepted is expected to slow attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure but will still allow him to maintain military pressure. Time is becoming a concern for Putin. His military is losing equipment, and the economy is struggling, with rising inflation and a weakening ruble. Most Russians now support a peace treaty, as long as it is led by Putin. Experts suggest that next year he will face difficult choices between military spending and domestic needs. Ukraine may endure another year of conflict as the situation develops.