Former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman delivered a blunt assessment of the Ukraine war and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts, emphasizing a sharp contrast between Washington’s priorities and Moscow’s intentions.

“Make no mistake—President Trump cares a lot more about the soldiers fighting and dying in that region than Vladimir Putin does,” Hoffman said, underscoring Trump’s focus on limiting battlefield casualties and pushing for an end to the conflict. However, Hoffman cautioned that humanitarian concern alone may not be enough to secure a deal, warning that Russia appears fundamentally uninterested in compromise.

According to Hoffman, Moscow’s objectives extend far beyond territorial concessions or ceasefire arrangements. He argued that Russia is pursuing long-term regime change in Ukraine, a goal that effectively blocks any short-term peace agreement regardless of diplomatic pressure. In this view, negotiations are not stalled due to a lack of offers, but because the Kremlin sees continued warfare as serving its strategic ambitions.

By late December 2025, the reality on the battlefield has complicated Trump’s push for progress. Russian forces have continued slow but steady advances, capturing an estimated 51 square miles per week. While these gains are incremental, Hoffman noted they are enough for Moscow to believe time is on its side, weakening incentives to negotiate seriously.

At the same time, a new 20-point U.S.-Ukrainian proposal has reportedly outlined conditions for de-escalation, including Russian withdrawals from key regions such as Kharkiv. Signals from Moscow suggest these terms are unacceptable, reinforcing Hoffman’s assessment that the Kremlin remains committed to maximalist war aims rather than compromise.

Hoffman’s analysis frames Trump’s approach as one driven by concern for human cost and strategic restraint, while portraying Putin’s calculus as rooted in power consolidation and long-term control. The contrast highlights the central challenge facing any peace initiative: one side is seeking to stop the bloodshed, while the other appears willing to prolong it to achieve broader political goals.

As diplomatic efforts continue, Hoffman’s warning serves as a reminder that progress toward peace depends not only on strong leadership and proposals, but on whether both sides genuinely want the war to end.