Putin bides his time over Ukraine two years on
When the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, some analysts predicted it might take as few as three days for Russian forces to capture the capital of Kyiv.
With the war now entering its third year, Russian president Vladimir Putin seems to be trying to turn that initial failure to his advantage by biding his time and waiting for Western support for Ukraine to wither while Moscow maintains its steady military pressure along the front line.
Mr Putin's longer timeline still has its downside, with the conflict taking a heavy toll on Russia by draining its economic and military resources and fuelling social tensions even as the death of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny serves as a chilling reminderofthekremlin'sruthless crackdown on dissent.
Mr Putin has repeatedly signalled a desire to negotiate an end to the fighting but warned that Russia will hold on to its gains.
Earlier this month, he used an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to urge the United States to push its "satellite" Ukraine into peace talks, declaring that "sooner or later, we will come to an agreement".
Some recent developments have fed the Kremlin's optimism.
Aid for Ukraine remains stuck in the US Congress while Nato allies have struggled to fill the gap following Ukraine's underperforming counteroffensive last summer.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to dismiss his popular military chief, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, disappointed many in the country and worried its Western allies.
And Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that he would negotiate a quick deal to end the war if elected, recently spooked Nato by saying he could allow Russia to expand its aggression in Europe if alliance members fail to increase their defence spending.
Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre said a possible Trump return to the White House would serve Mr Putin's goals.
"He sees Trump as a figure likely to wreak destruction and believes the consequences of a second Trump presidency would be to weaken the West and deprive Ukraine of the support it needs," Ms Stanovaya said in a commentary.
As the Kremlin watches for more signs of crumbling Western support for Ukraine, Russian forces captured the eastern stronghold of Avdiivka over the weekend after a fierce battle in which Ukrainian forces reported an increasingly desperate shortage of munitions.
The seizure set the stage for a potential Russian push deeper into Ukraine-held territory.
"While no large-scale offensive is currently taking place,
Russian units are tasked with conducting smaller tactical attacks that at minimum inflict steady losses on Ukraine and allow Russian forces to seize and hold positions," said Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds of the Royal United Services Institute.
Amid the fierce battles in the east, Russia also has sought to cripple Ukraine's defence industries with a steady series of strikes.