Putin has not given up on idea of capturing all of Ukraine and returning parts of Europe - US intelligence
The Russian dictator has not given up on his own aspirations to capture all of Ukraine and return part of Europe that belonged to the russian empire to russian control. This was reported by Reuters on Monday, December 22, citing US intelligence sources.
According to six sources, putin's peaceful statements contradict US intelligence reports on the threat to Europe. Assessments of russia's aggressive intentions are also shared by British and other European intelligence services.
"US intelligence reports continue to warn that russian president vladimir putin has not given up on his goals of capturing all of Ukraine and returning parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire, even as negotiators seek to end a war that will leave russia with much less territory," the material says.
Also, according to US intelligence, putin does not want to end the war and poses a threat to Europe. Contrary to the statements of the President of the United States Donald Trump and representatives of his negotiating delegation, russia is not going to stop. The Baltic countries believe that he will start a new aggression from their region. According to one of the sources, the latest intelligence report dates back to the end of September.
"The intelligence has always been that putin wants more. The Europeans are convinced of this. The Poles are absolutely convinced of this," Mike Quigley, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said in an interview with Reuters.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on December 22, the President of Finland Alexander Stubb said that negotiators are closer than ever to concluding a peace agreement between russia and Ukraine.
On December 18, US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Ukraine would act quickly during negotiations to end the war.
At the same time, russia refused to accept a ceasefire for Christmas.