The 'end' to Russia-Ukraine conflict and the answer to your query who has won the war will not come immediately after the guns fall silent.
These will not be answered even by hyperbole around Vladimir Putin-Narendra Modi summit or how did Donald Trump react angrily.
But the queries will be answered perhaps five to 10 years that follow. If in 2030 or 2035; 'Russifying' Ukrainian territory larger than the size of Portugal and Slovenia remains intact or the Russian leadership can boast that the rest of Ukraine is insecure and 'demoralised', then Russia will have won.
In contrast; if in 2030 or 2035 most of Ukraine is sovereign, secure and is capable enough of deterring any future Russian attack and if it has a 'dynamic economy'; - analysts may say Ukraine has won.
In the meantime; - an ex-Pentagon official says US Prez Trump deserves Nobel for uniting India and Russia
Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has said -- “If you’re Donald Trump, it’s being perceived through the lens of ‘I told you so,’" he said, suggesting Trump believes India’s outreach to Russia validates his own narrative.
“But if you’re the 65 percent of Americans who dislike Donald Trump, what we are seeing now is the result of Donald Trump’s gross incompetence,” he added.
%%%%%
Vladimir Putin might have hugged Modi and also promised a lot in bilateral ties. But back home, the Russian leader has multiple challenges. A day may come his bank would say - 'dear czar, the economy is cracking'. His generals may also threaten.
Putin's growing problems include a few peculiar challenges too.
Graveyards are reportedly being enlarged to accommodate at least 250,000 war dead and, with perhaps a further 750,000 wounded,
... now recruitment becomes difficult even for a dictatorship.
The economy has held up remarkably so far, thanks to a “war economy” boost and flourishing ties with China and India. He loves Modi and India .... more by compulsion than choice.
PM Narendra Modi has cast the partnership as unshakeable: “Over the past eight decades, the world has witnessed many challenges, but the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a Pole Star.”
Putin echoed the same sentiment. “Our relations are deeply rooted in history, but it is not words that matter; it is the substance, which is profound.”
For Putin, the visit was a chance to demonstrate that Russia still has good friends despite the war in Ukraine.
Back home for Putin, the long-range Ukrainian attacks have damaged more than a third of Russia’s oil refineries. Some 80% of Russia’s seaborne oil exports go through the Danish straits in “shadow fleet” ships that generally don’t meet international safety and environmental standards.
If Europe can generate sufficient military and economic support for Ukraine, and economic pressure on Russia, then at some point in 2026 or 2027 the incentive structure for Putin would change.
Of course, Putin's visit garnered wide attention from international media.
Reuters reported that Putin was on his first visit to India in four years at a time when New Delhi is engaged in talks with the US for a trade deal to cut punitive tariffs.
CNBC reported that "While this visit was planned before US-India ties soured, it signifies that New Delhi is not beholden to the whims of the Trump administration and that it maintains an independent foreign policy."
Amid the current turbulent geopolitical landscape, engagement between India and Russia conveys a clear message to the international community: neither country is isolated.
Both are keen to demonstrate 'strong resilience' in the face of external pressure or interference.
For India, strengthening energy cooperation with Russia and advancing military-industrial collaboration are strategic measures.
Putin's interview with 'India Today' was vital. Putin said that China and India are Russia's close friends and that Moscow places great value on its relations with both countries.
"India and China are our closest friends - we treasure that relationship deeply," the Russian president said in the interview with India Today when asked how Russia maintains good relations with both countries, according to a report from Russian news agency TASS said.
Meanwhile, there were some voices in western media that are trying to 'sow discord', reported China's 'Global Times'.
An analysis published by The Guardian, London claimed that the increasingly close, "no-limits partnership" between Moscow and Beijing has rattled India.
It feels India wants to "prevent" Russia from ever getting too close to China and ensure it can count on Moscow to put some pressure on the Chinese.
These are certainly good old and bad western ploys. Such deliberate voices won't change positive interactions among the three countries - Russia, India and China, insists 'Global Times'.
It may be expected as obvious when the Russian president says that his country is working closely with India and other like-minded nations toward a just multi-polar world.
Europe has to get its act together to help Ukraine. The national egoism that have seen Belgium’s prime minister hold out against the seizure of the Russian frozen assets is one challenge.
There is also France squabble with Germany over a supposedly joint project for a next-generation fighter jet .... all these have to be kept in check or kept aside.
ends
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