09.07.2026 13:40
It has been learned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not open to peace negotiations with Ukraine and has not abandoned his goals in Donbas. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that "Peace is closer than people think," it was reported that Putin is preparing to escalate the war in the coming months. The Kremlin stated that they are open to a peaceful solution but have the capacity to continue the military operation.
According to a Reuters report based on three sources close to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin is rejecting calls for peace talks with Ukraine. The report suggests that Putin's determination to continue the war has increased following Ukraine's recent drone attacks on oil refineries and ports in Russia.
Two of the unnamed sources argued that the likelihood of an escalation in fighting in the coming months is high.
DONBAS GOAL NOT ABANDONED
According to the report, Putin's main goal is to bring the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine under Russian control. One of the sources claimed that Putin does not accept ceasefire proposals on the current front line and sees the complete capture of Donbas as a matter of principle.
TRUMP SAID 'PEACE IS NEAR'
US President Donald Trump, in a statement made in recent days, said that Putin wants to end the war and that a solution is 'closer than people think.' It was noted that Trump held separate phone calls last week with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in a statement to Reuters, said Russia is ready for a peaceful solution but has the capacity to continue its 'special military operation' with its own resources.
NATO BASES ALSO ON THE AGENDA
The report also stated that some Russian military experts have publicly discussed the possibility of targeting NATO bases in the Baltic countries and Romania. The experts assessed that such a step could increase the risk of direct conflict between Russia and NATO.