“Russia Cannot Conquer Ukraine, Say US Intelligence Chief and Tulsi Gabbard”
Tulsi Gabbard: Russia Lacks Capability to Conquer Ukraine or Europe.
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has said that Russia does not have the capability to conquer or occupy Ukraine, dismissing claims that Moscow could threaten the rest of Europe as alarmist and misleading.
Posting on X, Gabbard wrote:
“US intelligence assesses that Russia does not even have the capability to conquer and occupy Ukraine, let alone invade and occupy Europe.”
She accused “deep state warmongers” and certain sections of Western media of exaggerating the Russian threat to justify pro-war policies and undermine peace efforts led by Donald Trump. According to Gabbard, claims suggesting the US intelligence community supports European fears of a Russian invasion are not grounded in intelligence and are aimed at sustaining confrontation.
While Gabbard did not provide classified details, she emphasized that misrepresenting threat assessments could derail diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and stabilize the region.
Russia’s Ongoing Objectives
Despite Gabbard’s statement, a recent Reuters report citing US intelligence indicates that Russia’s strategic aims in Ukraine remain ambitious. Although Moscow may lack the capacity to invade Europe, President Vladimir Putin continues to seek Ukrainian subjugation.
US officials assess that battlefield losses, manpower constraints, and Western support for Kyiv have scaled back Russia’s immediate goals. Moscow appears focused on a long war of attrition, aiming to exhaust Ukraine and weaken Western backing rather than achieve rapid territorial conquest.
The report also notes that Russia continues to apply pressure on Kyiv through military operations, cyber activity, and political influence, even as its ability to decisively defeat Ukraine remains limited. These differing assessments highlight ongoing debate in Washington and among US allies about Russia’s capabilities, intentions, and the prospects for peace negotiations.
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