If you look at what Russia controls of Ukraine at this point, they're getting literally nothing from it. The Donestsk region of Ukraine has lost almost half it's population (about 3.5 million people have left) since the start of the war. The major cities don't have consistent water, heat, electricity, or even food supplies. Russia is getting nothing from "controlling" it.

The war may still be going on, but the only reason is because the Russian military is literally willing to shoot people that try to refuse. If there was any allowance for a second government option, Putin would already be gone. The US may be slipping into autocracy, but Trump is not even close to that entrenched or powerful.