Russia is looking for ways to take advantage of Trump's weakening after the midterm elections. Bloomberg. Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky will face another Donald Trump if the US president emerges weakened from the mid-term elections - a new political reality that may have a significant impact on the course of the war in Ukraine. After Trump and Putin reached an agreement on the supply of Russian diesel fuel to the US, the Kremlin will look for ways to further ease US sanctions against Russia, a source close to the Kremlin said. The goal is to convince Trump that the United States and Russia can do business without waiting for the end of the war in Ukraine. Few believe a weakened Trump will become more loyal to Ukraine and Europe if his Republican Party loses congressional elections to Democrats, though that could weaken his leverage over Zelensky to force the Ukrainian president to accept the deal. This may push Putin to step up attacks on energy infrastructure as winter approaches to try to force Ukraine to capitulate. The first test will likely be the resumption of peace talks between representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the United States, scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi. Putin has given no indication that he is willing to give up his tough demands on Ukrainian territory in exchange for an agreement. The Kremlin has lost faith that Trump can force Ukraine to accept a peace deal on Russia's terms, the sources said. That assessment contributes to Putin's bet on prolonging the war by increasing attacks on Ukraine and putting pressure on its European backers, the sources said.