US officials are reportedly becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Ukraine’s approach to its counteroffensive and have doubts about whether the country will achieve any significant progress this year. The Financial Times has stated that the US has been advising Ukraine to focus its efforts on the Southern front in the Zaporozhye region, rather than spreading its forces too thin along the lengthy frontline.
The FT report suggests that there are growing divisions between the allies, raising questions about President Joe Biden’s ability to secure congressional approval for further defense assistance to Ukraine. The expectation was that the counteroffensive would begin in the spring and break through Russian defenses in the summer. The Ukrainian military planned to use NATO’s combined arms-maneuver tactics, which it had been trained in by its Western supporters. However, due to initial setbacks, Ukraine’s forces reverted to older tactics, which disappointed officials in Washington.
Despite some recent small gains made by Ukrainian forces, more officials in Washington are reportedly preparing for a “war of attrition” that may last well into the following year. One major point of contention between the US and Ukraine is the deployment of Ukraine’s military. US officials have urged Ukraine to take on less risk and fully commit its forces to the main axis of the counteroffensive in the south. The Americans see this as the only viable option for a potential major breakthrough, which would involve severing Moscow’s land bridge to Crimea.
However, Kiev has chosen to keep nearly half of its forces in the East, aiming to recapture the strategic city of Artyomovsk, also known as Bakhmut, which was seized by the PMC Wagner Group in May after months of intense fighting. This deployment strategy has created tension between the US and Ukraine.
There is also a shift in public opinion within the US regarding further funding for Ukraine. With more Republicans calling for cutbacks in aid to Ukraine and peace negotiations with Russia, a recent CNN poll indicates that 55% of Americans now oppose additional funding for Ukraine from Congress, while 45% are in favor.
Additionally, the Washington Post has claimed that the Ukrainian counteroffensive shows signs of stalling, with time running out before unfavorable weather conditions set in. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has already suffered significant losses, with 43,000 soldiers and nearly 5,000 pieces of military equipment.
These developments highlight the challenges and complexities faced by Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The diverging opinions between the US and Ukraine regarding military strategy, coupled with shifting public sentiment, may have significant implications for the future of Ukraine’s counteroffensive and its relationship with its Western allies.
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