Multiple outlets report that President Vladimir Putin is rejecting efforts to initiate peace talks with Ukraine and is instead likely to escalate the war in the near term. Citing three sources close to the Kremlin speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, Cyprus Mail and Japan Times say Putin’s position is being reinforced by Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on targets in Russia, including oil refineries and ports. NDTV similarly reports that Putin may escalate the conflict despite peace efforts associated with a Trump push. The sources characterize Putin as choosing not to negotiate at this stage, arguing that the recent attacks have strengthened his resolve to continue fighting rather than pursue talks. The reporting does not provide detailed information on what form any escalation would take or when it would begin, but it frames the Kremlin’s stance as a deliberate rejection of negotiations for now. Overall, the accounts converge on the same core points: Putin is not accepting calls for peace discussions with Kyiv, and recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure are seen by Kremlin-linked sources as a factor behind the decision to intensify the war.