Sources: Putin Rejects Peace Talks, High Likelihood of War Escalation in Coming Months

According to sources close to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected calls for peace negotiations with Ukraine. Recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries and ports have further strengthened his resolve to continue fighting. The sources indicated that Putin may escalate the conflict, now in its fifth year. One source stated that the "likelihood of war escalation" in the coming months is very high.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Putin wants to end the war and that a solution is closer than people realize. Trump held phone calls with both Putin and Zelenskyy last week. He met with Zelenskyy at the NATO summit on Wednesday, where Zelenskyy said they discussed "ideas to bring peace closer."