Putin confident in his plans to fully occupy four Ukrainian regions by the end of 2023 — Bloomberg
On the eve of a planned telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed firm confidence that Russian forces will be able to carry out a full-scale takeover of four Ukrainian regions by the end of this year, including those still under Kyiv’s control. According to the American agency Bloomberg, sources close to the Kremlin claim that the Russian leader does not plan to rush into seeking a compromise or signing a peace agreement, as he is convinced of his strategic advantage and future successes on the battlefield. According to anonymous sources within Putin’s entourage, he believes that Russian troops will be able to breach Ukrainian defenses and fully control the regions for which Moscow has claims. These sources indicate that the Russian president does not intend to make quick concessions and will postpone any diplomatic agreements until his military objectives are achieved on the ground. This approach, experts say, suggests that the Kremlin remains committed to continuing the war and trying to change the situation in its favor in the future. European officials and diplomatic circles are currently often expressing surprise, and sometimes concern, about potential actions by Washington, which is trying to involve Russia in a diplomatic process regardless of the situation at the front. Bloomberg notes that U.S. President Donald Trump advocates for a quick end to the war, which has been ongoing for over four years. He consistently emphasizes the need to reach an agreement that would halt active hostilities and does not hide his readiness to apply diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin. Meanwhile, official Russia has not shown any signs of willingness to make concessions, and its troops are gradually and methodically advancing, fulfilling tactical and strategic objectives. According to Bloomberg, concerns are growing in European circles that the United States and its allies may not be able to persuade Russia to abandon its military ambitions and to engage in meaningful dialogue. While Trump promises to inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other NATO allies about the results of negotiations with Putin, policymakers are increasingly worried that diplomatic efforts may fail. At the same time, tensions in diplomatic corridors are not ruled out, as both sides remain firm in their positions. Kremlin officials currently assert that Putin intends to persistently fight for his goals and is prepared to wage a prolonged war if necessary to achieve the desired result. Official representatives report that he remains optimistic regarding the possibility of additional sanctions from the West, perceiving them as part of his broader struggle for national interests. However, according to Western sources, Putin’s confidence in his military prospects sharply contrasts with reality. European diplomats and military analysts note that Russia, which has already suffered heavy losses over more than three years of invasion and combat operations, currently lacks the sufficient reserves of strength to quickly achieve its objectives. They emphasize that the Russian army’s potential has significantly diminished, and due to the inability to conduct large-scale offensive operations, Ukrainian drones and resistance movements make Russian advances increasingly costly and less effective. As Bloomberg reports, many military experts and Moscow-based sources express pessimism and skepticism regarding Russia's ability to secure a long-term advantage. They believe that limited resources and logistical challenges are increasingly hindering Russian forces from conducting large-scale offensives. At the same time, Ukrainian forces are making progress in counteroffensives, and the tactical level of the Russian army is deteriorating in many key areas, making further combat development difficult, according to experts. Thus, the situation in Ukraine remains tense and dynamic, and the prospects for a full-scale end to the war are still uncertain. While Moscow continues to assert confidence, the West is preparing for various scenarios—ranging from prolonged confrontation to international mediators trying to influence the Kremlin to establish a genuine ceasefire. The prospect of a genuine peace and the return to diplomacy remain uncertain for now, with efforts primarily focused on maintaining sanctions and supporting Ukrainian resistance on the path toward ultimate victory.