The Russian Counteroffensive: Putting a Stop to Russia or Killing Its Hands on: The U.S. Or Does Ukraine Need to Fail?
Zelenskyy and many Ukrainians are quick to note that Moscow has dominated, or attempted to dominate, Ukraine for generations. They say Ukraine’s goal is clear: drive out all Russian troops, estimated at 200,000 or more, even if that means a protracted war.
The Russian forces still hold 16 percent of the territory in the south and east of the country, yet the Ukrainian military is making only limited progress against them. Despite months of fierce fighting, the frontlines have only changed marginally this year.
This raises a difficult question: Should the U.S. and and other Western countries provide Ukraine with even more powerful weapons, or try to lay the groundwork for a negotiated settlement?
“What will we do when this offensive reaches its limit?” asked Charles, a former diplomat and national security official who now teaches at Georgetown University.
Kupchan has faced considerable pushback in the U.S. and Ukraine for raising the possibility of cease-fire or a permanent agreement. According to polls in Ukraine, a large majority are prepared to keep on fighting with the aim of ousting all the Russians, despite the growing number of casualties, economic hardship and destruction throughout the country.
Ben is a former general who commanded in Europe and believes that the fighting will slow down in the fall and winter.
It is harder for Russian troops to receive supplies when a train is stopped, a truck is destroyed or a bridge is taken out, says a former US soldier who lives in Germany. The Ukrainian counteroffensive is putting pressure on the Russians.
Mr. Zelensky’s planned visits come amid reports that the Biden administration may be nearing a decision on sending Ukraine long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems known as ATACMS, which Ukrainian officials say they need to make major advances against Russia. Ukrainian officials have said in recent weeks that they are hopeful that Mr. Biden will approve the weapons.
It comes at a time when Biden’s administration is working to shore up support in congress for an additional $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine because of the ongoing counteroffensive. Mr. Zelensky believes that Ukraine has the capacity to make major gains.
Most of the members of Congress support this aid. But opposition is growing. Former president Donald Trump, as well as other Republican presidential candidates, are among the critics.
U.S. response to Ukranian conflict and the prospects of a possible invasion of Taiwan in the future, according to Hodges
To maintain current levels of support in the U.S., the Biden administration should define more clearly what success inUkraine would look like, according to Hodges.
Would it be an outright Ukrainian military victory, or something lesser, like a negotiated settlement that might leave Russia in control of some parts of Ukraine?
“We run the risk of losing some of what is so far very strong, effective bipartisan support,” he said. “That’s exactly what the Kremlin is hoping for, is that the support will eventually fall away.”
His main concern is that a long-running war in Ukraine diverts U.S. attention from China and a possible invasion of Taiwan — which he considers much more important.
It’s always a tradeoff. Colby said it’s going to come but you might not acknowledge it or know where it is. Europe has to take a lead role there because of the threat in the Pacific.
The U.S. has set the tone for the Western response to the events in Ukranian but European nations are providing assistance similar to the U.S.
Meanwhile, neither Russia nor Ukraine is expressing interest in negotiations. Russia claims that the four Ukrainian areas are permanent Russian territory. Ukraine says it will not give up any land.
Charles says it will be difficult to start talks and reach agreement. But he said it’s important to be ready if and when an opportunity arises.
U.S. Senator Zelensky, the Ukranian Prime Minister, and the Debate on Ukraine’s Status at the Kremburn Scale
According to three U.S. officials, the president of Ukraine will visit Washington next week.
In December, Mr. Zelensky spoke to Congress about the battle against Russia and called for the supply of American weapons to continue. Since then, anxiety has grown among Ukraine’s supporters as they have watched a decline in U.S. public support for continuing aid to the country.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who faces a rebellious far-right flank of his party that could cost him his job, has appeared to wobble under the pressure not to replenish the funds, despite previously saying that he backed continued aid for Ukraine. He is thinking of pushing a supplemental funding bill that focuses on domestic issues only and puts funding for Ukranian at risk.
The administration of Joe Biden is still standing up. During a visit to Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, last week, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken vowed that the United States would continue to support Ukraine.