The publication indicates that such changes in Washington’s strategy to support Ukraine are focused on a possible transition to a more defensive posture. This is due to the fact that assistance to our country from the States and Europe is “now under serious threat.”
It is noted that the White House and the Pentagon publicly insist that there are no official changes in the Biden administration’s policy to support Ukraine’s intention to completely oust the Russian invaders and liberate the occupied territories.
At the same time, the publication’s sources in the Biden administration and a European diplomat said that in conversations with the Ukrainian side, American and European officials are now discussing the possibility of instead of conducting a counter-offensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to concentrate on strengthening the defense position against Russian invaders in the east of the country.
“These efforts also included strengthening air defense systems and building fortifications, barbed wire fences, anti-tank obstacles and ditches along Ukraine’s northern border with Belarus,” the article said.
Washington is also focused on quickly reviving the defense industry to supply desperately needed weapons.
An administration official told Politico this week that much of this strategic shift to defense is aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position in any upcoming negotiations.
“That’s been our theory on this case – the only way this war will end is through negotiations. We want Ukraine to be in the strongest position possible when that happens,” the US official noted.
At the same time, he emphasized that no negotiations are planned yetand Ukrainian troops are still conducting an offensive on the ground and continue to inflict significant losses on the Russian occupiers in manpower and equipment.
US assistance for Ukraine
Let us remind you that the US Congress could not approve Joe Biden’s request to allocate more than $100 billion for national security needs until the end of 2023. This request includes more than $60 billion for Ukraine.
The main stumbling block was the Republicans, who refused to support the initiative. They are demanding that the White House include their proposals for strengthening border security in its request.
On December 22, US President Joe Biden signed an annual defense spending bill that provides a record $886 billion for the Pentagon. It also indicates assistance for Ukraine, namely the allocation of $300 million.
On Wednesday evening, December 27, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States has provided Ukraine with a $250 million military aid package.
Issues of negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation
Let us recall that after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the countries held several rounds of negotiations, but then they were put on pause. Last year, President Vladimir Zelensky made a decision from the National Security and Defense Council that negotiations with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin were impossible.
To resume negotiations, the Russian Federation must:
- completely leave the territory of Ukraine;
- change the political elite;
- admit war crimes;
- hand over the organizers of the war to the tribunal.
Recently, foreign media reported that Russian dictator Putin conveyed through diplomatic channels that he was allegedly ready to freeze the war in Ukraine.
Let us note that earlier the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said that after the summit of leaders on the “peace formula” a document will be generated that will be submitted to the Russian Federation for consideration. If the Kremlin is ready to accept it, the negotiations will become relevant.
Previously, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) explained what real motives may be hidden behind Putin’s “signals” about the desire to stop and freeze the war against Ukraine.
2023-12-28 00:46:57
#strategy #support #Ukraine #Politico
