Putin needs a drawn-out war – the west’s timidity gives him one | Keir Giles

President Zelenskiy and Ukraine want it finished by winter, but Russia still holds the balance of power

Russia's latest attack on civilian targets in Ukraine, causing at least 18 deaths in a shopping centre in Kremenchuk, far from the frontline, could be interpreted as a message to the G7 and Nato meetings under way in Germany. The message is one of Russia's indifference to condemnation of its crimes. Moscow will not back down. And that in turn may be based on confidence - whether sound or misguided - that over the long term the war is going Russia's way.

Russia has been making gains. Its eastern Ukraine offensive slowly grinds forward by destroying everything in its path, and there is a growing realisation in the west that there will be no early end to the conflict. But the war is dragged out even further by Russia successfully deterring Ukraine's western backers from providing it with the weapons systems it needs - including more ammunition, drones, jammers, radars, and means of intercepting Russia's long-range missile strikes like the ones seen over recent days.