“US Intel Chief, Tulsi Gabbard: Russia Lacks Capability to Conquer Ukraine”

Tulsi Gabbard, US Intel Chief: Russia Lacks Capability to Conquer Ukraine or Europe.

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has stated that Russia does not have the capability to conquer or occupy Ukraine, dismissing claims that Moscow could expand its aggression into Europe as alarmist and misleading.

In a post on X, Gabbard said that US intelligence assessments do not support narratives suggesting an imminent Russian threat to Europe:

“The truth is that US intelligence assesses that Russia does not even have the capability to conquer and occupy Ukraine, let alone invade and occupy Europe.”

Gabbard accused what she described as “deep state warmongers” and certain sections of the Western media of exaggerating the Russian threat to justify pro-war policies. She alleged these claims were being used to undermine peace efforts led by Donald Trump.

“Some groups falsely claim that the US intelligence community backs the view held by parts of the EU and NATO that Russia intends to invade and conquer Europe. These portrayals are not grounded in intelligence assessments and are aimed at sustaining confrontation,” she added.

While Gabbard did not provide further details of classified intelligence, she stressed that misrepresenting threat assessments could jeopardize diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and stabilize the region.

Russia’s Objectives in Ukraine

Despite Gabbard’s assessment, recent reporting by Reuters, citing US intelligence, indicates that Russia’s strategic objectives in Ukraine remain ambitious. While Moscow may lack the capacity for a broader European invasion, President Vladimir Putin continues to pursue Ukrainian subjugation.

US intelligence officials reportedly assess that Russia’s immediate military goals have been scaled back due to battlefield losses, manpower constraints, and Western military support for Kyiv. Moscow is now believed to be waging a long war of attrition, aiming to exhaust Ukraine and weaken Western support rather than achieve rapid territorial conquest.

The report also noted that Russia intends to pressure Kyiv into concessions through ongoing military operations, cyber campaigns, and political influence—even as its ability to decisively defeat Ukraine remains limited.

These contrasting assessments highlight ongoing debate in Washington and among US allies regarding Russia’s long-term intentions, military capabilities, and the prospects for negotiations to bring the conflict to an end.