Putin wanted whole of Ukraine? He said the opposite and had a deal on the table in 2022 which was basically enforcing minsk and negotiate crimea - check out the WAPO article released last week with the leaked peace deal.
Now he wants the regions that have joined Russia (in a dubious vote in the middle of a war) to be secured as the starting point for negotiations, he may cede some if Ukraine neutrality is guaranteed and minority rights are respected, who knows.
If there is no negotiating from Biden and he holds on in November then i expect Putin will add Kharkiv and Odessa to the list next time perhaps in 2026 but I fear Biden will send in NATO colaition possibly even before the election to at least force some Russian territory loss in time for the vote. If Trump wins then there will be peace in Europe and some kind of deal negotiated.
