Putin assumed Trump would be re-elected and that he would have more time to build up his cash reserves and his forces.
You will notice that Putin has always invaded other countries during the SECOND term of US presidents. He invaded Georgia at the end of Bush's second term. He invaded Crimea and eastern Ukraine during Obama's second term.
Putin never had a better friend in the White House than Donald Trump.
It was Trump's dream to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. He even pledged the $50 million penthouse to Putin. Trump never hesitates to publicly fellate Putin. He called Putin a genius for invading Ukraine.
If Trump had his way NATO would be disbanded.
There is no way Trump would defend Ukraine. He has a YUGE grudge toward Zelensky. And he has never, to this day, said a harsh word about Putin. Not once. Ever.
But if some minor celebrity hurts Traitor Trump's feelings, he rage tweets for WEEKS about it.
Trump insults celebrities, his fellow Republicans, his own staff, businessmen, companies, and many, many others.
When Trump does mention Putin by name, it is to compliment him.
So don't kid yourself. If Traitor Trump won the election, Putin would be in Kiev right now.