Three years into his war on Ukraine, what does Putin really want?
NPRSunday, June 1, 2025 at 7:50:36 PM
Three years into Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s true motives remain murky. While he claims to be open to peace talks, his military has ramped up some of the most aggressive aerial assaults on Ukraine in years. Meanwhile, former President Trump—who has historically avoided harsh criticism of Putin—has started speaking out against him more forcefully, even as he floats the idea of negotiating a deal to end the war. Global leaders are left grappling with the same question: What is Putin actually after?
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about battlefield gains or diplomatic posturing. Putin’s actions—and the shifting reactions from figures like Trump—signal a war with no clear endgame, where words and violence often contradict each other. For Ukraine and its allies, understanding Putin’s end goal (or lack thereof) is crucial, because every missile strike and mixed signal makes the path to peace even harder to navigate.
— Curated via WP Now’s
