A recent US intelligence assessment of the state of the conflict in Ukraine warns that Vladimir Putin appears more determined than ever to continue the war and prevail on the battlefield.
According to what NBC News reveals, citing a senior US official and a senior congressional staffer, that analysis was shared with members of Congress in October. Among other things, it says that U.S. agencies find no indication that Russia is ready to compromise on the Ukrainian issue at a time when Donald Trump is seeking to broker peace talks.
As the US outlet points out, the latest analysis is in line with previous assessments of Moscow’s stance made by Western agencies since February 2022, when the invasion of Ukraine began.
However, according to the two sources with knowledge of its contents, the intelligence agencies assess that Putin is now more adamant than ever.
Faced with heavy Russian military losses and economic difficulties at home, the Russian president is determined to secure Ukrainian territory and expand his country’s influence to justify the cost in lives and money, the intelligence assessment says.
Recall that Trump last week cancelled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, and, for the first time since returning to the White House in January, imposed sanctions on Moscow. It is a clear indication of the U.S. president’s growing annoyance at his Russian counterpart’s evasiveness and unwillingness to make the slightest concession to achieve peace.
The White House declined to comment on the recent U.S. intelligence report and referred NBC News to Trump’s statements about efforts to reach a peace deal and sanctions on Moscow.
“As the president said, these are extremely strong sanctions against the two major Russian oil companies, which he hopes will help end the war,” a White House official said in a written statement. “He has made it clear that the time has come to stop the bloodshed and reach an agreement to end the conflict. The United States will continue to support the peace solution. Whether it is permanent depends on Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith.”
Trump has long been committed to mediating an end to the war in Ukraine. During his campaign, he pledged to secure peace within 24 hours of returning to the White House. However, so far his efforts to persuade Russia to come to the negotiating table and agree to a ceasefire have not borne fruit.
Trump’s rhetoric, however, has changed in recent months, as he has expressed increasing frustration and impatience with Putin, accusing him of not backing up with actions the positive statements made in the talks between the two. “Every time I talk to Vladimir, our talks are good, but they don’t go anywhere. They just don’t lead anywhere,” he said disillusionedly last week.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions