NBC News: Putin unwilling to compromise, determined to continue war

U.S. intelligence agencies believe the Kremlin has no intention of negotiating over Ukraine, and Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin is more determined than ever to continue the war, NBC News reports, citing intelligence sources.

“The analysis, which was communicated to members of Congress this month, indicated the agencies see no sign Russia is ready to compromise on Ukraine as [U.S.] President Donald Trump seeks to broker peace talks,” the report reads.

According to sources, this assessment confirms that since Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, U.S. and Western intelligence have consistently viewed the Kremlin’s position as rigid and uncompromising.

“But Putin is now believed to be more dug in than ever,” the report reads.

Despite losses on the front lines and economic challenges at home, the Kremlin leader is determined to solidify control over Ukrainian territories and justify the human and financial costs of the war, journalists say.

The White House declined to comment on the new intelligence assessment, referring instead to public statements by Trump regarding efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution.

“As the [U.S.] president stated, these are tremendous sanctions against their two big oil companies which he hopes will help bring about the end of the war,” an unnamed official said.

Earlier, the Ukrainian World Congress welcomed the U.S. government’s decision to impose full blocking sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies and their subsidiaries, including Rosneft and Lukoil.