U.S. Intelligence Assessment: Putin Determined to Continue the War in Ukraine

A recent U.S. intelligence report has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is now more determined than ever to continue the war in Ukraine.

According to NBC News, which cited a senior U.S. official and a high-ranking congressional source, the report—delivered to Congress earlier this month—emphasized that U.S. intelligence agencies see no indication that Russia is prepared to make any concessions on Ukraine. The assessment aligns with the long-standing view of U.S. and Western intelligence agencies since the war began in February 2022, but it underscores that Putin has become increasingly entrenched in his current position.

Justifying the Human and Economic Cost
Despite Moscow’s significant military and economic losses, Putin remains adamant about continuing the conflict, aiming to expand control over Ukrainian territory to justify the war’s human and financial toll, according to the intelligence assessment.

Trump’s Mediation Efforts and U.S. Policy
The report comes as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to mediate peace talks to end the conflict that has been ongoing since 2022. Trump recently canceled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest and imposed sanctions on two Russian oil companies, describing the sanctions as “massive” but expressing hope that they would not last long. He also voiced optimism about reaching a settlement.

Trump noted that he had considered supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles but reversed the decision after a phone call with Putin. Since the Alaska summit last August, Trump has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated over what he perceives as Russia’s failure to take concrete steps to follow through on the positive statements made by its leader during the talks.

Ukrainian and European Calls for Pressure on Moscow
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities and their European allies have urged the United States to increase pressure on Russia by supplying Kyiv with more weapons and tightening sanctions to force Moscow into a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

The report highlights the persistence of tensions in the conflict, with no real signs that Moscow is ready to negotiate or make concessions—leaving the war ongoing and its outcome uncertain in the near term.