The main message behind the verbose statements of "Putin" at the Valdai Club forum, besides a multitude of absurdities, is a call for negotiations with Ukraine for a peaceful resolution, naturally on Russia's terms, and a threat of nuclear blackmail against Europe and NATO. Traditionally, the threats were delivered at the beginning of the speech, while the calls for peace and negotiations came at the end. Everything else is empty rhetoric and "nonsense" that is not worth analyzing.

The Politburo viewed the refusal of donor countries to Ukraine to provide additional funding and accelerate current lending as a response to Russia's "inevitable victory," at least within the framework of the "victory" understood by the Russian leadership. In this regard, a decision was made to increase pressure, or rather, to increase the number of strikes on Ukrainian territory using all available means, including strategic reserves of certain types of weapons. The "hawks" in the Politburo believe that a peace agreement with Ukraine is possible before the end of next year and refuse to consider any other options