UK intelligence chief: no evidence Putin seeks peace talks in Ukraine

ISTANBUL — Britain's top intelligence official said there is "absolutely no evidence" that Vladimir Putin intends to negotiate peace in Ukraine, a blunt assertion that underscores a hard line as fighting continues across the region.

The remark, attributed to the head of Britain's intelligence service, was carried by ABC News Live's international feed and published by The Associated Press on Sept. 19, 2025, from Istanbul. The AP report notes there was no indication of any framework for talks and no sign Moscow was shifting toward diplomacy.

AP reported that there was no sign of any diplomatic opening and no public move toward negotiations, a read that aligns with Britain’s assessment of Moscow’s current posture amid a conflict that shows little indication of a rapid settlement. The head of Britain’s intelligence service did not name Putin or the intelligence official in published summaries, and the report does not indicate a change in British policy toward Kyiv or Moscow.

Analysts caution that a single public remark by a senior intelligence figure is not a policy pronouncement, but they also note that such statements can signal how governments are weighing Moscow’s aims and the feasibility of diplomacy. The AP piece frames the comment as part of ongoing intelligence assessments rather than a forecast of events.

The remark arrives as Western governments continue to support Ukraine with security and economic assistance while acknowledging that negotiations remain uncertain and fragile. Officials in Britain and other allied capitals have repeatedly stressed that no credible diplomatic framework has emerged that would pave the path to a settlement, even as humanitarian concerns and battlefield dynamics persist.

This latest briefing, reported from Istanbul, adds to a steady stream of public introspection by Western intelligence communities about Russia’s long-term goals. While governments frequently reassess their positions as events unfold, there is broad agreement that any lasting settlement would require moves from both Moscow and Kyiv, plus assurances that core sovereignty and security concerns are addressed. The AP report underscores that, at present, there is no public signal of a shift toward talks, and that the immediate focus for many capitals remains deterrence, resilience, and support for Ukraine.

Sept. 19, 2025, 4:26 AM IST