The U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard declared on X that Russia lacks the capacity to invade Ukraine or Europe, sparking criticism from a Kremlin envoy and prompting a Reuters brief on Russian ambitions.
Gabbard’s Statement on Russia’s Military Capability
Tulsi Gabbard posted on X on 20 December that “war agitators in the deep state and their propaganda media again seek to undermine President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and Europe.” She added that U.S. intelligence assesses that Russia cannot conquer or occupy Ukraine, let alone Europe, contrary to the narrative promoted by the “American intelligence community.”
Kremlin Envoy Reacts to Gabbard
Kremlin envoy Kiryol Dmitriyev condemned Gabbard’s remarks, accusing Reuters of acting “on behalf of war agitators” and inflaming fear to fuel escalation. He warned that NATO and the EU aim to drag the U.S. army into a war with Russia, diverting attention from migration blunders while profiting from weapons sales through “friendly contractors.”
Reuters Briefs on Russian Intentions
Reuters cited six informants with access to U.S. intelligence. According to the report, Vladimir Putin seeks to seize all of Ukraine and aims to wrestle portions of Europe that once belonged to the Soviet bloc. The briefing also indicated that NATO member states could be included in Russia’s ambitions.
House Intelligence Committee Weighs In
Representative Mike Quigley of the House Intelligence Committee said that U.S. intelligence consistently shows “Putin wants more.” He noted that Europeans, Poles, and Baltic states all share the conviction that Russia’s scope of ambition is expanding.
NATO Secretary‑General Addresses Potential Attack
In June, NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte stated that Russia presently has the capability to produce as much ammunition in three months as NATO does in a year. He warned that Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years.