According to U.S. intelligence assessments, Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a protracted conflict in Ukraine in which he still expects to achieve objectives beyond Donbass.
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haynes spoke Tuesday at a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on threats to the world.
Haynes said the trajectory of the conflict could become increasingly unpredictable and potentially escalating over the next few months.
Bloomberg also quoted Lieutenant General Scott Berrier, director of intelligence for the U.S. Defense Department. According to him, Russian failures in Ukraine could weaken power in Moscow, but at the same time it would force the Russian leadership to become more assertive in confronting the United States and its allies. In addition, threats to use nuclear weapons may become more frequent, Berrier suggested.