The re-election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency is viewed by many observers as a potential boon for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war against Ukraine. On the contrary, America's political realignment may be a significant blow to the ideological foundation of Putin's dream of a "multi-polar world"—a paradigm shift that presents significant opportunities and challenges for America and the West.
Some analysts believe Russia has already won the overarching conflict; that the Russian mind-set is "zero-sum"—one winner, one loser—and that Putin will fight on until Ukraine and the West capitulate; that Russia only pays lip service to negotiations; that talk of sanctions and economic ostracization is meaningless given Russia's sacrifices and eventual victory over the Nazis.
