VLADIMIR Putin is determined to conquer Ukraine as he fears dire consequences, being “hanging from a lamppost in six months” if he doesn’t succeed, according to a British volunteer soldier.

It comes as the despot snubs ceasefire talks and ploughs on with his bloody invasion of Ukraine – massing a fresh 50,000-strong force on the border.

Obsessed with power, Putin has significantly increased Moscow’s bombing efforts recently, launching the most extensive drone assault since the war began.

Furious Donald Trump – who has been attempting to mediate peace talks – branded the dictator crazy as he threatened new US sanctions.

More than three years into Putin’s ruthless invasion, the tyrant has failed in his goal to seize Kyiv and take control of the nation.

Macer Gifford, a fighter in Ukraine, shared that Vlad has ignored Trump’s push for a ceasefire due to his commitment to achieving his “ideological dream” and the fear of being killed if overthrown.

The Brit ex-banker, who also battled ISIS in Syria, told The Sun: “Both sides [Russia and Ukraine] are completely ideologically opposed.

“On one side you’ve got a unique culture, heritage, history, people that want to be part of the EU, they want their kids to build a better life for themselves.

“Then on the other side, you’ve got an old man [Putin] who wants to build a legacy for himself, who wants to rebuild the Soviet empire to fulfil his ideological dreams.

“And this old man is very fearful that if he were to lose in Ukraine then he could be toppled.

“And if he were to be toppled, like all dictators, he could be hanging from a lamppost in six months’ time, or he could be in The Hague accounting for his crimes.”

It comes as Donald Trump’s “candid” call with Putin in a bid to restart peace talks fell flat as the despot readies his troops for a “long war”.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned intelligence shows Vlad no intention of ending the war.

Military analysts believe the Russian tyrant is trying to press home his advantage and capture more Ukrainian land.

His forces have taken four border villages in Ukraines northeastern Sumy region, a local official said today.

Between Friday and Sunday, Russia launched around 900 drones at Ukraine, officials said, amid a spate of large-scale bombardments.

On Sunday night, Russia launched its biggest drone attack of the 3-year war against Ukraine, firing 355 drones.

Putin’s decision to ramp up his blood-soaked war comes despite Trump’s fury and staggering losses on the battlefield.

The US president fumed: “I’m not happy with Putin, I don’t know what’s wrong with him.

“What the hell happened to him? Right? He’s killing a lot of people. I’m not happy about that.”

Trump is even “seriously considering” lifting all restrictions on how Ukraine can fight Russian troops, sources told the Kyiv Post.

Macer warned Putin could do whatever it takes to secure his “legacy” by overthrowing Ukraine.

He added: “This is a man who wants to survive.

“He doesn’t care about the men he’s throwing into the fight, he doesn’t care whether his people suffer from economic hardship.

“He particularly doesn’t care about the Ukrainians.”

Putin arrogantly assumed he could sweep in and seize Kyiv in a matter of days after ordering his troops over the border into Ukraine.

But more than three years on, the red-faced despot has suffered huge losses on the battlefield.

More than 10,000 tanks, 22,000 armored vehicles, 26,000 artillery systems, and over 700 aircraft have been destroyed, officials estimate.

And the casualty numbers are far grimmer.

Western officials have revealed that  the Russians have sustained more than 900,000 casualties, with 250,000 dead, since Putin unleashed his illegal war.

But Volodymyr Zelensky has said there is “no indication” that Vlad is “seriously considering” peace in Ukraine – despite numerous calls and meetings with the US.

The Ukrainian leader added that instead, there is “ample evidence” that a new offensive is being prepared.