Intelligence Warning: "Putin's Goals Have Not Changed"

SadaNews - While Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy of the Russian president, heads to Miami today, Saturday, to meet with American envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Jared Kushner, who have led direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side over the past weeks seeking a plan to end the war that has been ongoing since 2020, U.S. intelligence assessments revealed that the goals of Russian President Vladimir Putin have not changed.

U.S. intelligence reports warned that Putin intends to seize control of all of Ukraine and restore parts of Europe that were once part of the former Soviet Union, according to six sources familiar with intelligence information.

In this context, one source stated that these reports present a completely different picture than the one outlined by U.S. President Donald Trump and his negotiators, who stated that Putin wants to end the conflict, according to Reuters.

Another source clarified that the latest of these reports dates back to late September.

These intelligence findings also contradict the Russian leader's denial that he poses a threat to Europe.

Mike Quigley, a member of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, considered that the intelligence had always indicated that Putin wanted more... and the Europeans are convinced of that, with the Baltic States believing they would be the "first".

This comes while the American side has been negotiating with Ukrainians and European and Russian officials for weeks on a 20-point peace plan, confirming progress has been made, despite some significant disagreements regarding the issue of ceding territory.

The last meeting between Kushner and Witkoff with Ukrainian negotiators was yesterday, Friday, in Miami.

Meanwhile, American, Ukrainian, and European negotiators reached a broad consensus last Monday in Berlin on what four European diplomats and two informed sources described as strong guarantees backed by the United States for Ukraine's security against any future Russian aggression.

A source and diplomat stated at that time that these guarantees depend on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's approval to cede territory to Russia. However, other diplomats denied this, confirming that other alternatives are still being considered, as Zelensky has ruled out ceding territory.

The diplomats also clarified that the guarantees, which would come into effect after signing the peace agreement, stipulate the deployment of a European security force in neighboring countries and in Ukraine away from the front lines to help fend off any future Russian attack.

The ceiling for the Ukrainian army will be set at 800,000 soldiers, but several diplomats noted that Russia is seeking a lower number, which the United States does not oppose.

Additionally, the American peace plan, according to two informed sources, will include U.S.-backed aerial patrols over Ukraine.

However, it remains uncertain whether the Kremlin will agree to such guarantees, especially since it has repeatedly rejected the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine.

It is worth noting that Putin did not make any concessions yesterday, Friday, although he stated at an annual press conference that he is willing to discuss peace. He added that his conditions must be met, as his forces have advanced 6,000 square kilometers (2,300 square miles) this year.

It is reported that Russia controls about 20% of Ukraine's territory, including most of Luhansk and Donetsk, the two provinces that form the heart of the industrial Donbas region, as well as parts of Zaporizhia and Kherson provinces, in addition to Crimea, the strategic peninsula on the Black Sea.