Reuters: Putin Leans Toward Escalation, Not Peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin is rejecting calls for peace talks with Kyiv and instead leaning toward further escalation of the war, according to three sources close to the Kremlin cited by Reuters.

Two of the sources said there is a high probability that the conflict will escalate in the coming months. One of them, who meets with Putin regularly, said the Russian president insists on taking control of the rest of Ukraine's Donbas region and recently rejected proposals from his advisers for a compromise based on a ceasefire along the current front line.

The report comes shortly after Donald Trump declared that Putin wants to end the war and that a solution is closer than it seems. The Kremlin, however, has said that Russia is ready for a peaceful solution but also has sufficient forces to continue the conflict.

According to a representative from the Ukrainian president's office, intelligence reports suggest that Moscow is preparing for further military operations, possibly even an attack against another European country.

Reuters notes that Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, ports and fuel depots have caused a significant fuel shortage. Sources also said the attacks have further strengthened Putin's resolve to continue the war and respond harshly.

(Reuters, bak)