Putin Aims to Conquer All of Ukraine, U.S. Intelligence Reports

According to U.S. intelligence, Vladimir Putin continues to strive for the full conquest of Ukraine, despite the onset of negotiations to end the war with the Donald Trump administration. NBC News reports, citing four representatives from Western intelligence agencies and two members of the U.S. Congress.

“We have no indication that Putin is interested in a real peace agreement right now,” said one of the U.S. Congressional representatives.

On Tuesday, February 18, Vladimir Putin sent his delegation to Riyadh to meet with U.S. representatives. The main purpose of the talks was to discuss a possible end to the war in Ukraine. However, according to sources from the publication, current intelligence data shows that Putin still hopes to “outwait Ukraine and Europe,” banking on the future prospect of conquering the entire country.

“He believes he is winning,” said one of the Western intelligence officials, adding that significant losses on the battlefield have not forced Putin to reconsider his goals or halt military operations.

Sources who spoke to NBC News believe that Putin may use negotiations as a tactical pause to regroup his army and fortify his positions. They suggest that even if Putin agrees to a ceasefire or a temporary peace agreement, it could only be an attempt to buy time for regrouping forces.

Western officials have expressed doubt that Putin is prepared for genuine concessions or a long-term peace agreement. Any negotiation with the Russian side may be more directed toward potential concessions from the West and Putin's return to the international arena, where his isolation has deepened since the invasion of Ukraine three years ago, they add.

Western intelligence officials have emphasized that Putin is not planning to withdraw troops from Ukraine or reduce military formations and equipment in Western Russia. Furthermore, the Russian president's confidence has been bolstered by recent statements from representatives of the Trump administration implying that the U.S. does not consider Ukraine's membership in NATO as a realistic outcome in the negotiations.

“His objectives remain maximalist,” noted one intelligence official.

U.S. officials state that allies and their intelligence confirm that Putin has expansive ambitions over Ukraine. Congressional officials and a former senior official from the administration highlighted that this has been the case during both the end of Joe Biden’s tenure and the transition to Donald Trump. The situation remains unchanged a month after Trump's administration began.

On February 18, the first direct talks took place between Russian and U.S. delegations in the capital of Saudi Arabia since the start of the war. According to Bloomberg, Ukraine's participation in the negotiations was rejected by both Moscow and Washington, despite the initiative of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince to include Vladimir Zelensky in the dialogue.