CIA Director for Vladimir Putin: He is the apostle of vengeance

He also believes Putin will not give up the invasion of Ukraine. I think his mood is such that he doesn't believe he can afford to lose. ”

Burns has been tracking Putin for many years, and few people in the U.S. government have had more personal experience with the Russian leader.

President Joe Biden sent Burns last autumn to Moscow to warn Putin not to attack Ukraine and Washington elite often address Burns when it comes to predict Putin's movements, Politico writes.

After visiting the Kremlin last fall, Burns returned to Washington with little illusion and saw much good news for Biden and the rest of the administration.

He was extremely realistic about what could happen and the need to prepare for him,” said a former senior administration official for Burns.

As explained later, there was no feeling from phone conversations with Putin that the Russian leader had made an irreversible decision to attack Ukraine, but it seems Putin decided at the time.

Over the years, I have learned never to underestimate Putin's ruthless determination, especially with regard to Ukraine,” said Burns.

Putin, Burns noted, has long believed Ukraine is not the right place. A few weeks later, Ukraine was able to partially crush Russian forces, but Burns was careful about the future.

“Despect is not something Putin easily accepts”, Burns of Politico was quoted as saying.