As U.S. and Putin negotiate, intel shows Russian’s lack of interest ‘in a real peace deal,’ sources say
As the Trump administration begins preliminary talks with Russian officials about ending the war in Ukraine, intelligence from the United States and close allies shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin still wants to control all of Ukraine, according to four Western intelligence officials and two U.S. congressional officials.
“We have zero intelligence that Putin is interested in a real peace deal right now,” one of the congressional officials said.
Putin is sending representatives to Saudi Arabia for negotiations Tuesday with the U.S. that are aimed at ending the war. But, the six officials said, current intelligence shows Putin still believes he can wait out Ukraine and Europe to eventually control all of Ukraine.
“He thinks he’s winning,” one of the Western intelligence officials said, adding that Russian losses on the battlefield are not pressuring Putin to stop fighting. [Continue reading…]
Zelensky: it seems like Russia and the U.S. are preparing an ultimatum to Ukraine, talking about Ukraine without Ukraine. We didn’t accept ultimatums in 2022, when the situation was much more serious and nobody was helping us, and I have no intention of accepting any ultimatums… pic.twitter.com/IVUIeKaXbG
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) February 18, 2025
Trump slams President Zelensky for demanding a seat at peace negotiations over his own country’s future:
“You’ve been there for three years. You should’ve ended it in three years. You should have never started it.”
(Fact check: Russia started the war against Ukraine.) pic.twitter.com/IaRqvBXq7W
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) February 18, 2025
"Turkey supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. At the same time, I emphasized that we will provide all support to conclude the negotiations with the establishment of sustainable peace." – President of Turkey Recep Erdoğan after his meeting… pic.twitter.com/Bdem7Jq8BO
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) February 18, 2025
🚨 BREAKING: A massive Russian attack on Odesa is underway, just moments after Trump told reporters he believes Russia is sincere in its desire to end the war.
Trump’s weakness only emboldens Putin. pic.twitter.com/0Gmesu8Gqx
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) February 18, 2025