**Russia’s War Goals May Have Shifted, Says US Intelligence**
The Russian government may be reassessing its goals in Ukraine, according to new intelligence shared by the United States. The information suggests that Vladimir Putin’s focus has shifted from trying to capture large swaths of territory to holding onto what they already occupy and boosting their struggling economy.
This change in objectives comes amid ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The talks have been rocky, with both sides refusing to budge on key issues. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted that the international recognition of Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian regions were a condition for peace talks. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will not recognize any occupied territories as part of Russia.
The US is reportedly considering a de jure recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea as part of a potential peace deal and de facto control over other occupied territories. However, this move has been met with skepticism by some US officials, who point out that Russia “clearly hasn’t given up on their maximalist war ends.”
**Russia’s Economy in Crisis**
The shift in objectives may also be due to the growing economic hardship faced by Russia. International sanctions over the war have taken a toll on the country’s economy, and Moscow is desperate for a deal.
US President Donald Trump has sought to reset relations with Russia and potentially increase economic cooperation following a negotiated peace deal. However, he has recently questioned Moscow’s intentions to achieve peace, suggesting that the Kremlin may be “tapping him along.”
**A Long-Term Threat**
Despite the potential shift in objectives, US officials remain skeptical of Putin’s long-term ambitions in Ukraine. In February, unclassified intelligence assessment from the Danish Defense Intelligence Service suggested that Russia may find the opportunity to launch a large-scale war on Europe within five years.
The new intelligence suggests that Moscow is willing to “play along” to improve its standing with the US, but it remains unclear what Putin’s true intentions are. One thing is certain, however: the situation in Ukraine remains precarious, and the world waits with bated breath for a resolution to the conflict.
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