Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected calls for peace negotiations with Kyiv, with sources close to the Kremlin claiming recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil facilities and ports have strengthened his determination to continue the war.
Three sources familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking told Reuters that Putin is not currently seeking a diplomatic settlement, with two of them saying the Russian leader is more likely to intensify military action as the conflict enters its fifth year.
One source who regularly meets Putin described a high possibility of further escalation in the coming months, while another said the Russian president remains focused on achieving his goal of capturing the remaining parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.
The comments come after United States President Donald Trump said he believed Putin wanted the war to end and suggested that a resolution could be reached sooner than expected following separate discussions with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
However, sources claimed Putin had rejected suggestions from advisers for a compromise based on maintaining the current front lines through a ceasefire.
A person familiar with Putin’s position said the Russian president had “dug in his heels” over securing control of Donbas, which Moscow views as a key objective despite slower advances by Russian forces this year.
The Kremlin, however, maintained that Russia remained open to a peaceful solution while insisting it had the ability to continue its military operations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said intelligence reports suggested Putin was preparing for further military actions rather than moving towards peace, including possible new operations in Ukraine or potential threats towards other European countries.
Western defence analysts have warned that Russia may require additional military mobilisation to achieve its objective in Donbas, although Putin has been reluctant to introduce another large-scale draft due to concerns over public reaction.
Recent discussions among Russian military experts have also raised the possibility of strikes against NATO-linked targets, including bases in Baltic countries, which could increase tensions between Moscow and the US-led alliance.
Defence analyst Jack Watling from the Royal United Services Institute said Russia could attempt to create divisions within NATO through limited attacks rather than directly seeking a wider conflict.
“The Russians would not be aiming for a war with NATO. But it could be used to divide NATO over how to respond,” he said.
The war has also brought increasing economic pressure on Russia, with repeated Ukrainian strikes targeting oil refineries, ports and storage facilities, causing fuel shortages and affecting civilians.
Although Putin’s approval ratings remain relatively strong, recent polling showed his popularity had fallen to its lowest level since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ukraine’s allies have argued that the recent attacks demonstrate a shift in momentum and have called for stronger economic measures to pressure Moscow into ending the conflict.
Despite this, Russian forces have continued launching drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, with dozens of civilians reportedly killed in recent strikes. Moscow said the attacks targeted military sites.
Putin has also said Russia may expand its territorial objectives beyond Donbas by creating a “security zone” along the border in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure.
The battlefield situation remains difficult for both sides, with Russian troops facing challenges advancing along the 1,200-kilometre front line due to Ukraine’s extensive use of drones.
The eastern Donetsk region remains a major focus of fighting, with Russian forces attempting to capture key defensive positions while Ukraine continues resisting the advances.
Putin has described gaining full control of Donbas as a matter of national importance, with sources saying the Russian leader believes he needs a significant victory to justify the continued military campaign.
