By Troy Anderson, Founder of the Inspire Literary Group.Putin’s Strategic Gamble: The High Stakes of Ukraine’s FutureAs the war in Ukraine persists, the geopolitical landscape has become a stage for strategic gambles and potential turning points. Central to this dynamic is Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose willingness to engage in peace talks with President-elect Donald Trump represents both a calculated maneuver and a high-stakes risk. With control over 18 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and significant parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, Putin’s gamble centers on consolidating Russia’s gains while navigating the uncertainties of a new U.S. administration.