US intel: No signs of Russian readiness for compromise over Ukraine

US intelligence has found no indication that Russia is willing to compromise in its war against Ukraine, a senior US official and a senior congressional official said.

On the contrary, President Vladimir Putin has become “more stubborn than ever” in his determination to continue the fighting.

According to an intelligence memo presented to American lawmakers in October 2025 and seen by NBC News, Moscow is not ready for either a cease-fire or genuine negotiations, despite US President Donald Trump’s attempts to launch peace initiatives.

The assessment states that Putin, despite heavy military losses and economic hardship, remains focused on seizing Ukrainian territory and justifying the human and financial costs.

Reflecting growing frustration, Trump last week cancelled a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, and for the first time since returning to office in January imposed sanctions on Moscow — targeting two major Russian oil companies.

“I just felt it was time,” Trump told reporters, calling the new sanctions “tremendous” and adding that he had “waited a long time” to impose them but hoped “they won’t be on for long.”

“We hope that the war will be settled,” he added.

The White House declined to comment on the recent intelligence assessment, pointing instead to Trump’s public statements about his efforts to reach a peace deal.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the war in Ukraine, claiming during his campaign that he could secure peace within 24 hours of returning to office. However, his attempts to bring Russia to the negotiating table and reach a ceasefire have so far been unsuccessful.

In recent months, his tone has hardened as he voiced growing frustration with Putin, accusing the Russian leader of failing to follow through on the assurances given in their talks.

The American leader initially suggested he might send US-made Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, but dropped the idea after speaking with Putin.

Kyiv and its allies have long urged Washington to supply longer-range weapons and tighten sanctions to pressure Moscow into talks.

Trump’s recent sanctions on Russian oil firms marked his first concrete step in that direction.

By Jeyhun Aghazada