- CIA Director Bill Burns said Putin has no sustainable political end game in his invasion of Ukraine.
- In a testimony Tuesday, he said Putin's "assumptions have turned out to be profoundly flawed."
- Burns said he is convinced Ukrainians will continue to fight in what he predicts will be "an ugly next few weeks."
CIA Director Bill Burns said Russian President Vladimir Putin has no political end game to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the face of fierce resistance from Ukrainians.
Burns testified on Tuesday before the House Select Intelligence Committee on threats to national security. When asked by Rep. Adam Schiff how he foresaw the conflict in Ukraine ending, Burns said he wasn't sure.
"That's the core question," Burns responded. "I think Putin's assumptions have turned out to be profoundly flawed."
"He failed to see how he could sustain a puppet regime or a pro-Russian leadership that he tried to install in the face of what is a massive opposition from Ukrainian people," Burns said.
Burns continued: "I fail to see how he can produce that kind of an end game."
He added that he expects an "ugly next few weeks" where Putin will "double down" on Ukraine in an attempt to seize the land.
"One thing I am convinced of is the Ukrainians are going to continue to resist fiercely and effectively," Burns said.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.