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U.S. Intelligence Reaffirms Putin’s Maximal War Aims, Undercutting Trump’s Peace Narrative

The finding conflicts with public assurances from the White House negotiating team.

Overview

  • Reuters, citing six sources, reports U.S. intelligence still assesses that Vladimir Putin seeks control of all of Ukraine and parts of the former Soviet sphere in Europe.
  • One source said the most recent intelligence report underpinning the assessment was completed in late September.
  • The judgment contradicts public statements by President Trump and his envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff asserting that Putin wants to end the conflict.
  • A White House official said the president’s team has made tremendous progress toward ending the war, with U.S. and Russian officials expected to meet in Miami this weekend.
  • European views broadly align with the U.S. assessment, and House Intelligence Committee member Mike Quigley said allies such as Poland and the Baltic states see expanded Russian aims as a pressing threat.