US intelligence: Vladimir Putin is more determined than ever to continue the war in Ukraine

US intelligence agencies see no signs that Russia is ready to compromise on the Ukraine issue. A recent U.S. intelligence assessment warns that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more determined than ever to continue the war in Ukraine and win on the battlefield, according to a senior U.S. official and a senior congressional official, NBC News reported.

The analysis, which was provided to members of Congress this month, shows that the agencies see no signs that Russia is willing to compromise on Ukraine as President Donald Trump tries to broker peace talks.

The assessment is consistent with how U.S. and Western intelligence agencies have viewed the Russian regime’s position since February 2022, when Putin ordered an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, according to two other people familiar with the matter.

But Putin is now believed to be more determined than ever, according to the senior U.S. official and the senior congressional official.

Faced with heavy losses of Russian troops and economic setbacks at home, he is determined to secure Ukrainian territory and expand his country's influence to justify the human and financial losses, the intelligence assessment said, according to the officials.

In a sign of Trump's growing frustration, last week he canceled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, and for the first time since returning to office in January, he imposed punitive measures on Moscow, imposing sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.

"I just felt the time had come," Trump told reporters, describing the new sanctions as "tremendous" and adding that he had "waited a long time" to implement them but hoped "they wouldn't last long".

"We hope the war will be settled", he added.

The White House declined to comment on the latest intelligence assessment and pointed to Trump's public comments about efforts to reach a peace agreement.

"As the president has said, these are massive sanctions on two major oil companies that he hopes will help end the war," a White House official said in a statement. "He has made it clear that it is time to end the killing and make an agreement to end the war. The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and lasting peace depends on Russia's willingness to negotiate in good faith.“