He both fears and welcomes a Trumpian solution to the war.
This is positioning for negotiations.
Who is really desperate? The US and U.K. finally give approval to use long range missiles inside Russia. The missiles are guided by US/UK intelligence and software. Biden just authorized the use of land mines. All of this is done after Trump wins the election.
Russia is advancing across the entire front and is in the process of encircling the Ukrainians in Kursk. Ukraine is escalating the war, the real act of desperation.
In context, yes you're exactly right about Vlad's reason for it. Despite the casualties, Ukraine (US, NATO) have been holding Russia off and Vlad wants a way out of it. This is what he's now saying.
He wants to sue for peace, all he needs is a broker. NOT Biden, Blinken, whatshername, not Starmer or any of his crew either. He wants Trump to do it, or else he goes nuclear, and he has weapons that can reach anywhere.
Personally I think the Deep State still is determined to not see Trump take office. They have too much to lose, starting with... well, as long as we're on the subject, the war in Ukraine. Then Covid. Then run down the list.