Russia Believes It Can Outsmart US in Ukraine Negotiations, European Intelligence Chief Says

Kremlin officials have no desire to halt their nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to a top European intelligence official.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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According to a top European intelligence official, Russian authorities have no intention of stopping their nearly four-year invasion of neighboring Ukraine and believe they can "be more cunning" than the United States during negotiations.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to significant loss of life and displacement of civilians, as well as heightened geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West. The revelation that Russia believes it can outmaneuver the US in negotiations raises concerns about the prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

The details

The European intelligence chief, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Russian officials feel they can be more strategic than the US in negotiations over the future of Ukraine. This suggests the Kremlin has no plans to back down from its military occupation of Ukrainian territory, despite international pressure and sanctions.

  • The invasion of Ukraine by Russia began in February 2022.

The players

Russia

The Russian government, led by President Vladimir Putin, has been engaged in a military conflict with Ukraine since 2022.

United States

The US government, under President Joe Biden, has been a key ally of Ukraine and has imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion.

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What they’re saying

“Russian authorities have no intention of stopping their nearly four-year invasion of neighboring Ukraine and believe they can "be more cunning" than the United States during negotiations.”

— European Intelligence Chief

What’s next

The international community will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and maintain pressure on Russia to withdraw its forces and engage in meaningful negotiations.

The takeaway

The revelation that Russia believes it can outmaneuver the US in negotiations over Ukraine raises serious concerns about the prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, which has already resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of civilians.