Putin loses faith in Trump, plans more strikes on Ukraine's energy grid

The Kremlin no longer believes Donald Trump can persuade Ukraine to accept a peace deal on Russia's terms, and Moscow now plans to intensify military pressure on Kyiv while preparing for a prolonged war. This shift follows the US president's failure to achieve concrete results in prior negotiations. According to Bloomberg, citing informed sources, Vladimir Putin intends to increase military pressure on both Ukraine and its European allies. The outcome of the US midterm elections is a key factor in Kremlin calculations, as a weakened political position for Trump could significantly influence the war's trajectory. Moscow also seeks ways to lift American sanctions and convince Trump that economic ties can resume without ending the war. Peace negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia are scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi, though Putin shows no sign of abandoning maximalist territorial demands. Putin and Trump may meet this month at the APEC summit in China, but Moscow expects no significant progress. Russia has increased its 2026 military budget by roughly $60 billion to nearly $200 billion, while potential US attacks on Iran could divert attention and military support away from Ukraine.