Kremlin sources told Reuters, as reported by Asaf Rozentzweig (N12), that President Vladimir Putin has 'entrenched his position' on conquering the rest of Donbas and recently scolded advisors who proposed a ceasefire along current front lines. The sources said Putin believes Russia will soon take all of Donbas, and remains determined to escalate the war despite a slowdown in Russian progress.
Kremlin sources, speaking to Reuters and reported by Asaf Rozentzweig (N12), say President Vladimir Putin recently scolded a group of advisors who proposed a ceasefire along current front lines. The sources, described as having direct knowledge of Putin's thinking, said Putin has 'entrenched his position' on conquering the rest of Donbas and believes Russia will soon control the entire region. This is the latest detail in a series of reports today about Putin's war plans.
The story first broke at 12:58 Jerusalem when ynet, citing Kremlin sources, reported that Putin is expected to escalate the war. Minutes later, at the same timestamp, Reuters sources said Putin rejects negotiations and that recent Ukrainian attacks have strengthened his resolve. At 12:58, N12's Asaf Rozentzweig added that a source familiar with Putin's thinking confirmed the scolding of advisors and the aim to capture remaining Donbas territory. The reporting has moved from a general expectation of escalation to specific, on-record accounts of Putin's internal discussions.
The reports align with The Zioneer's previous coverage: on June 5, Putin rejected Zelensky's request for a meeting, saying there was 'no reason before an agreement.' On June 23, Putin signaled readiness for peace talks based on the 2022 Istanbul agreements. However, the current sources indicate that Putin is now moving away from any diplomatic track, confident in a military victory in Donbas.
The Kremlin has not officially commented on the reports. The sources remain anonymous, and the timing or nature of the expected escalation is still unspecified. It is unclear whether the advisors who proposed the ceasefire hold any influence or whether Putin's stance has shifted in response to the latest battlefield developments.
4 developments
- DevelopingZelensky: Putin's Response to Summit Offer Shows He Wants War to Continue
- DevelopingPutin says Russia ready for peace talks with Ukraine based on Istanbul agreements
- DevelopingPutin says Russia ready to resume negotiations with US on Ukraine war
- DevelopingPutin at government meeting: Ukraine targeting civilian infrastructure to create energy problems in Russia
Source and signal
- Internal intake