Putin’s endgame: Five shocking scenarios for Ukraine war

DDM News

(DDM) – Diplomatic and military observers are closely assessing possible outcomes for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as discussions about a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin gain traction.

DDM gathered that both leaders have previously floated the idea of meeting, though with differing motives.

Trump reportedly believes a personal meeting could break six months of diplomatic deadlock and convince Moscow to halt its offensive.

Putin, however, is seen as seeking time to consolidate battlefield gains from his summer offensive before facing negotiations later in the year.

One proposed American objective is a trilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a format Russia previously rejected in Istanbul.

Analysts say Putin may instead use such talks to push Moscow’s own narrative and secure leverage in future discussions.

Here are five potential scenarios for how the war could end:

1. Putin agrees to an unconditional ceasefire

This is considered highly unlikely.

Russia has already rejected similar ceasefire proposals in May, even under the threat of sanctions.

Earlier attempts at temporary pauses, such as a 30-day truce targeting energy infrastructure, were met with minimal adherence.

2. Pragmatism and more talks

Negotiations could lead to an agreement that freezes the front lines by October, locking in Russian territorial gains.

If Putin captures eastern towns such as Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Kupiansk, he may use the winter to regroup or push for permanent recognition of those gains.

He could also exploit Ukraine’s delayed elections to question Zelensky’s legitimacy and promote a more pro-Russian figure.

3. Ukraine withstands the pressure

With sustained US and European military aid, Ukraine could limit further Russian advances and keep negotiations on its own terms.

While eastern towns might fall, a slowdown in Russia’s offensive could push Putin to return to the table as his military struggles and sanctions weigh on the economy.

4. Collapse for Ukraine and NATO

If a Trump-Putin summit improves US-Russian ties but sidelines Ukraine, Kyiv could lose critical American support.

Europe may not be able to compensate for the gap, leading to rapid Russian gains across central Ukraine.

A worsening manpower crisis could spark domestic political upheaval as Zelensky pushes for expanded mobilization.

5. Strategic disaster for Putin

Russia could repeat the Soviet Union’s costly Afghanistan experience, suffering heavy casualties for minimal gains.

Sanctions could erode ties with China and reduce revenues from India, while Moscow’s financial reserves dwindle.

Growing dissent within Russia’s elite might emerge as military and diplomatic options narrow.

In this outcome, Trump could lose political momentum, and the US might revert to a more traditional anti-Moscow foreign policy after the mid-term elections.

The prospect of a Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit remains uncertain, but any meeting would likely shape which of these scenarios, ora combination, defines the next phase of the conflict.

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