The US changes its strategy regarding Ukraine.
(Baonghean.vn) - The Washington Post reports that the US is working to develop a new strategy for Ukraine, marking a shift from offensives in 2023 to frontline defense. The newspaper adds that these adjustments are believed to be a response to Kyiv's failed counterattack last year.
In an article published on January 27, the newspaper quoted a senior White House official explaining that “it would be difficult for (Ukrainian forces) to attempt a large-scale offensive on all fronts like they attempted last year.” Therefore, hopes are now much less ambitious – ensuring that Kyiv does not lose more land to Moscow. However, this does not mean that Ukrainian troops will simply sit in their trenches, with what is described as “territorial swaps” still possible in small cities and villages, the source told the WP.
Politico also reported similarly on the perception in Washington and Brussels that a “complete victory” for Ukraine is unlikely, at least until 2024, and that the US and EU are quietly shifting their efforts toward a final negotiated solution.
The Washington Post reports that Ukrainian troops in the Zaporozhye region are preparing to "replicate" the Russian defensive line that halted Kyiv's advance last summer. Western countries also want Ukraine to focus more on long-range missile strikes against Russian forces, including the Black Sea Fleet based in Crimea. In the long term, the Biden administration is reportedly hoping to sign a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine as early as this spring, similar to the recent agreement between London and Kyiv.
According to the WP, based on the agreement that is about to be reached, Washington will commit to strengthening Kyiv's military as well as bolstering its industrial base and exports. However, these plans revolve around Congress giving the green light to President Biden's $61 billion funding request, while the Republican Party is showing more hawkishness than ever, the newspaper points out.
The Washington Post hopes Washington's long-term agreement with Ukraine will make it more difficult for leading Republican candidate Donald Trump to cut aid if he wins the presidential election this November. Trump has repeatedly questioned the US administration's continued generous allocations to Ukraine and vowed that, upon his return to the White House, he would end the bloodshed "in a day, that is, 24 hours."
Last week, CNN reported that the Biden administration is hoping to receive “as much aid as possible before January 2025” amid concerns that former President Trump might restrict funding if re-elected.
