Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is not afraid of threats from US President Donald Trump and intends to continue the war in Ukraine until the West agrees to his terms. Moreover, the dictator's territorial demands may grow as Russian troops advance in Ukraine. This is written by Reuters citing three sources close to the Kremlin.

According to Putin, the publication's interlocutors told him, Russia, having survived the harshest Western sanctions, can withstand further economic difficulties, including tariffs aimed at buyers of Russian oil.

According to the source, despite several phone conversations with Trump and several meetings with US special representative Steve Witkoff, Putin believes that no one has seriously discussed the details of a peace agreement in Ukraine with him.

"Putin values his relationship with Trump and had good talks with Witkoff, but Russia's interests come first," the source added.

Sources also said that Putin's conditions for peace include a commitment by NATO not to expand eastward, Ukraine's neutrality, limitations on its army, protection of Russian-speaking people living in Ukraine, and recognition of Russia's territorial gains.

Putin is also reportedly ready to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine with the participation of major powers, although, according to sources, it is not clear how this would work.

Another source said that the dictator considers Russia's goals in the war with Ukraine much more important than any potential economic losses from Western pressure, and therefore, he is said to be unconcerned by US threats to impose tariffs on China and India.

Two sources cited other arguments that encourage Russia to continue the war, including its battlefield achievements and its production of key munitions, which allegedly surpasses that of NATO countries.

One of the sources also suggested that Putin may want to occupy even more territory, because, as they say,"appetite comes with eating." Two other sources, the publication writes, independently confirmed this.

"Russia will act based on Ukraine's weakness," a third source said.

According to him, Moscow may stop its offensive after conquering four regions of Ukraine if it encounters stiff resistance, but if not, it will also conquer Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.

Trump's threats to Putin

As UNIAN previously reported, on the eve Trump made important statements on imposing tariffs against Russia and arms supplies to Ukraine. In particular, he announced that he would impose secondary tariffs against the Russian Federation and its partners if there is no agreement on a peaceful settlement in Ukraine within 50 days.

The American leader also spoke about the supply of American weapons to Ukraine, saying that the United States and the European Union have reached a relevant agreement, according to which the costs will fall on Europe.

"We'll produce it, and they'll pay for it. Our last meeting, which was a month ago, was very successful in the sense that they agreed to 5 percent, which is over a trillion dollars a year. So they have a lot of money. These are rich countries," Trump shared.

In addition, the US president admitted that he was disappointed with the Russian dictator. He said that he had hoped that the Kremlin leader would agree to a ceasefire, but this did not happen.