The State Department’s opposing view on Russia’s readiness for peace negotiations with Ukraine is being revealed for the first time.
Earlier this year, officials say the State Department’s internal intelligence unit expressed skepticism over whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was willing to engage in peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, standing in contrast to a more positive stance from the CIA, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Ahead of President Trump’s August meeting in Anchorage with Russia’s leader, analysts at the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) raised doubts in their briefings and assessments.
‘The INR does important work to produce critical intelligence assessments,’ said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.
‘In the Intelligence Community, differing perspectives aren’t just normal—they’re necessary,’ a Director of National Intelligence spokesperson said in a statement.
The DNI spokesperson added, ‘That debate is how we ensure our decision–makers have the most accurate picture possible to protect the safety and freedom of the American people.’
Trump has been in contact with Putin throughout his second term – and met him face–to–face in August in Alaska – but the Russian leader hasn’t slowed down his assault on Ukrainian territory.
Relations between Trump and Zelensky have warmed since their late February viral spat in the Oval Office in which the president told his Ukrainian counterpart: ‘You don’t have the cards.’
The president cancelled his second Putin summit that was supposed to be hosted by his political ally, Hungarian President Victor Orban.
‘I’m not going to be wasting my time. I’ve always had a very great relationship with Vladimir Putin but this has been very disappointing,’ Trump said Saturday.
The president said he still viewed the Alaska meeting positively, though the US walked away with no concrete peace deal and Putin was able to herald the visit as his return to the world stage, after being turned into a pariah since the February 2022 invasion.
Putin has yet to commit to sitting down with Zelensky face–to–face.
‘I mean, we have a problem. They don’t get along too well, those two, and it’s sometimes tough to have meetings,’ Trump said at his latest meeting with Ukraine’s president at the White House. ‘So we may do something where we’re separate, but separate but equal,’ the president floated.
The CIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The State Department tells Daily Mail that three analysts were let go following a government–wide directive to cut federal staff –– reportedly the ‘newest, most junior members’ of the team.
The official said recent staff departures were part of a ‘broader reorganization’, stressing that the Russia–Eurasia analysts were not singled out.
