Putin preparing for "prolonged conflict" in Ukraine, intel chief says

Russia's war in Ukraine is unlikely to end even if its forces are successful in taking the country's eastern Donbas region,  Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said Tuesday, as President Putin banks on diminishing Western resolve to achieve goals extending past the Donbas and across the coast to neighboring Moldova.  

"We assess President Putin is preparing for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine during which he still intends to achieve goals beyond the Donbas," Haines told lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee during an annual hearing on worldwide threats. She noted that entrenched military engagement means there's no "viable negotiating path forward" for Ukraine and Russia in the immediate term.  

Haines said Putin likely believes his own country has a "greater ability and willingness to endure challenges" and is"probably counting on U.S. and E.U. resolve to weaken as food shortages, inflation and energy prices get worse."