This is reported by NBC News, citing four representatives of Western intelligence and two U.S. congressional officials.
According to six sources from the channel, Putin still believes he can "outlast" Ukraine and Europe to eventually control all Ukrainian territories.
One Western intelligence representative noted that Putin thinks he is winning, and the Russian losses on the battlefield do not pressure him.
At the same time, six officials are confident that Putin might agree to a ceasefire to replenish the Russian army's strength and see what concessions the West and Ukraine are willing to make. Furthermore, NBC News sources believe the Russian leader is eager to return to the global stage.
Intelligence representatives also stated that Putin does not plan to withdraw his troops from Ukraine or from the borders in western Russia.
On February 12, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump mentioned that he and Putin agreed they want to "stop millions of deaths."
On February 18, a meeting took place in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, between American and Russian delegations. After the talks, the Russians stated they went "fairly well" and that the teams from Russia and the U.S. would "in due time" start contacts regarding Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the negotiations in Saudi Arabia, noting that they had "the same mood" as the Russian ultimatum at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Zelensky pointed out that Putin seeks to initiate negotiations to gain relief from sanctions and regroup.