According to Ukrinform, The Wall Street Journal stated this in an article, citing U.S. intelligence reports.

Previously, U.S. officials believed that Putin would avoid provoking NATO countries while Russia remained engaged in its war against Ukraine.

However, according to American officials, that assessment changed earlier this year as Putin has come under increasing pressure both on the battlefield in Ukraine and domestically to deliver a victory.

Ukrainian drones are inflicting growing damage on both the Russian military and the country's oil industry, while Russian forces have made fewer gains on the front lines amid heavy casualties.

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U.S. officials believe that, if Putin were to attack NATO while the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, his objective would be to undermine and potentially fracture the Alliance.

According to sources familiar with the intelligence, as Putin seeks to secure the gains he wants in Ukraine, U.S. intelligence agencies are examining whether Moscow intends to escalate its aggressive actions against European allies in the near future.

American officials say there are concerns that Putin could become more dangerous if he feels increasingly cornered.

Potential Russian actions range from a cyberattack against a NATO member or the deployment of unmarked armed groups to seize territory, to a limited military incursion on NATO's eastern flank.

According to U.S. intelligence assessments, the possible timeframe for any such move extends from autumn of this year through 2029.

The reports state that the likelihood of the most extreme scenario—a limited ground invasion—remains low, although the risk is expected to increase over time.

Such a move has long been considered highly unlikely because it would trigger Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, which commits member states to collective defense. However, Article 5 provides less explicit guidance on how NATO should respond to cyberattacks or other forms of hybrid warfare.

As Ukrinform previously reported, Latvia's intelligence service has warned that Russia may be preparing provocations against the Baltic states or Poland, including the use of drones, in an effort to pressure NATO members into reducing their support for Ukraine.