Russia Unlikely to End Ukraine War, Says European Intelligence Official

Russian President Vladimir Putin has little interest in ending Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine and believes he can outmaneuver the United States in negotiations, according to a senior European intelligence official. Kaupo Rosin, head of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service, said Moscow is deliberately prolonging talks with Washington and has no intention of engaging in meaningful cooperation. Speaking ahead of the release of Estonia’s annual security report, Rosin said intelligence drawn from Russian internal discussions shows that US officials remain Russia’s primary adversary in the Kremlin’s thinking. “There is absolutely no discussion about how to really cooperate with the US in a meaningful way,” Rosin said, adding that Russia is focused on buying time rather than compromising. Estonia’s security assessment concludes that Russia is unlikely to attack NATO in the immediate future but warns that Moscow continues to pose a serious threat as it rebuilds and expands its military capabilities. Although Russian officials publicly claim to support a negotiated settlement, Rosin said there is little evidence they are prepared to soften their demands. Recent US-brokered talks between Russian and Ukrainian envoys have been described as constructive by both sides, but they have produced no tangible progress on key issues. According to Rosin, Putin remains convinced that Russia can ultimately achieve its objectives on the battlefield. “In his head, he still thinks that he can actually win,” Rosin said, noting that this belief continues to shape Moscow’s negotiating strategy. White House disputes intelligence assessment US officials have pushed back on Rosin’s conclusions. A White House official said American negotiators have made “tremendous progress” toward ending the conflict, pointing to recent prisoner exchanges as evidence of diplomatic momentum. The official cited an agreement reached in Abu Dhabi involving the US, Ukraine and Russia that led to the release of more than 300 detainees, calling it a sign that talks are moving forward. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that Washington has set a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a settlement, reflecting President Donald Trump’s desire to accelerate peace efforts. Trump has announced similar timelines in the past, though they passed without clear consequences. Senate Democrats are divided on supporting a short-term funding extension for the Department of Homeland Security ahead of a Friday deadline, with many demanding immigration enforcement reforms. Democratic leaders rejected a White House counterproposal as insufficient, pressing for stricter use-of-force standards, judicial warrant requirements, and a ban on racial profiling. Republicans oppose Democratic demands and are pushing for proof-of-citizenship voting requirements and tougher measures against illegal immigration, leaving a bipartisan deal uncertain as a partial shutdown looms. Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.