I would think it more likely than not, that Putin’s replacement would be just as hard line on Ukraine if not more ruthless.
Perhaps Putin IS giving the war effort there all they have to give, non nuclear? I suspect Russia still wins a more protracted war by demographics. Now if Trump wins and reverses the green nonsense, big upticks in oil production and falling per bbl prices could put a damper on Russia’s ability to afford to continue the Ukraine invasion, yes?
I think Putin’s replacement would likely be more of a hardliner.
Especially if Putin was assassinated. A message would need to be sent.
Putin knows the West is fickle. He also is likely to have all of the Ukraine that he wants by January 2025.
Russia is capable of accepting more pain and death than the West will.