The analyst cited in the article states that Putin knows perfectly well that he can only achieve peace on favorable terms if he has the approval of the United States. This idea suggests that Moscow depends on American support or at least American neutrality to achieve any agreement that is advantageous for Russia.
According to the article, Putin is trying to achieve through negotiation what he cannot obtain on the battlefield. This indicates a strategy of diplomatic pressure as an alternative to military conquests.
The analyst refers to the military effort needed to capture the remaining fortified cities in the Donetsk region. This area has been one of the main targets of Russian forces in the Ukraine war.
The timing is related to the elections to the Duma, the Russian parliament. The reference to this deadline suggests that Putin faces internal pressures to achieve visible results before the elections, which may be influencing his strategic decisions both on the battlefield and in diplomacy.
