You have to add material analysis to the mix here though. It’s not a war of wills, but of industrial bases and logistics. What we’re seeing is a broader economic war between the West and BRICS with Ukraine and Iran being the kinetic manifestations of the conflict. So, the real question is which side will be able to keep the war going longer. Will the west have sufficient production to keep up with the rate of attrition in the war. Russia has shown over the past four years that their industrial base is able to outproduce NATO militarily, and Russia is backed by China because it would be a disaster for them if Russia lost. On top of that all, the US is engaged in conflicts all over the world, and cannot devote all of its resources to Ukraine, while Europeans lack the industry and the conflict in Iran is making the situation worse.

So, what I think Putin is saying here is that the west is going to have no choice but to concede the war soon. There are numerous articles talking about the severity of the energy crisis that’s unfolding in Europe right now, and we haven’t even hit peak shortages. If Europe folds then the war is over.