Fuming Putin shifts objectives after US and Ukraine sign minerals deal

Several Western intelligence agencies have indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted his war goals—now prioritizing the consolidation of territory already seized, while working to revive his country’s struggling economy.

The change in strategy comes amid stalled peace negotiations and rising tensions with the West. A newly signed agreement between the United States and Ukraine on critical minerals has been viewed in the Kremlin as a direct betrayal, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

Despite minor gains on the battlefield, a senior U.S. official told CNN there is “zero indication” that Russia is capable of launching any significant new territorial offensives in the near future.

“The Russian objective is to get as much territory recognized as possible and have as weak of a Ukraine as possible,” the official stated.

While Moscow continues to demand international recognition of the regions it has occupied over the past three years, Kyiv has firmly rejected those terms, reiterating that Crimea remains Ukrainian territory.

The U.S. has recently warned that it could walk away from ongoing peace negotiations if no meaningful progress is made this week.

(QG - Source: Kyiv Independent — Picture : © Unsplash)