Whether Ukraine should make concessions to put a stop to the bloodshed is a decision only the Ukrainians have a right to take
TELEGRAPH VIEW 25 March 2022 • 10:00pm
If Vladimir Putin’s original objective in launching his invasion of Ukraine was the capitulation of the government in Kyiv, he has been left humiliated. Not only have Ukrainian forces mustered levels of resistance that have surprised even their allies in the West, they have managed to retake some territory seized by Russian troops. By most estimates, Putin has lost thousands of soldiers and hundreds of vehicles, and the Russian military has been plagued by logistical problems. While the Ukrainians remain determined to resist the invader, their opponents’ morale is believed to have plummeted. According to Western officials, a Russian brigade commander has even been killed by his own troops, run over deliberately after they suffered heavy losses.
The failure of Putin’s initial plans, however, seems to have occasioned a change in strategy. In recent days, the Russians have continued their bombardment of major cities, committing atrocities against the civilian population, presumably in an attempt to destroy Ukrainians’ will to fight. The Kremlin’s forces in the north of the country are reported to have begun digging in. Sergei Rudskoi, the head of the Russian general staff’s main operational directorate, suggested yesterday that their focus had shifted to the more limited objective of the “liberation” of the Donbas.
Russia has already achieved some progress in the south of the country, capturing the city of Kherson, and the fear is that the Kremlin’s strategy now may be to consolidate its hold over the territories it has already occupied. That could leave Putin in control of large areas of the south and the east of the country, including a so-called land bridge with Crimea, assuming the besieged city of Mariupol falls. Some analysts believe that securing these territories would be enough for Putin to be able to claim victory without an embarrassing loss of face at home.
However, the Ukrainians are highly unlikely to be willing to accept such a state of affairs. President Zelensky has made it clear that he will not sacrifice Ukrainian territory in return for peace. Would they be able to push back the Russians from the lands that have already been taken? In the event that they cannot, there will be no speedy resolution to this conflict.
It is the duty of the West to stand by the Ukrainians in their fight against Moscow, however long it takes. There will be those who think Western leaders should pressurise Mr Zelensky to accept that there will be no final victory, with the Russians driven back across the border in disarray, and that he should make concessions to put a stop to the bloodshed. However, given the horrors inflicted on their country by the Kremlin, that is a decision that only the Ukrainians have a right to take.
The defenders must retake Kherson then sue for peace.
Horrible as it must be to make concessions to nazi vermin, it has to be done.
When the vermin have finally left, Ukraine must build a huge armed forces that is the envy of the world.
With a decent air defense system, it is Russia that would need to make concessions. Germany have sent 1500 air defense missiles, but they come from the Soviet era. Ukraine need Patriot systems now, not Soviet junk.
The krauts have played a deplorable role in this part of the world since at least 2014 … and up to this very day. They simply can’t stop being the assholes that they always were.
I’m willing to bet that Ukraine can recover all lost territories. They have lost a lot of initiative in only one month and will continue losing more as time goes by. This assumes a continued supply of arms, ammo and other essentials for Ukrainian forces.
I highly doubt the Ukrainians will support any concessions whatsoever. You have to weigh any concessions that would be a sign of weakness and invite more attacks, versus Moscow breaking again. I think Ukrainians would choose the latter. The putin regime must be strangled to death in public and exposed for the evil it is.
Not sure what this phase one is. Russia have captured only one city and that is Kherson, where the Ukrainian army is now fighting back. Russia have totally underestimated the Ukrainian military, now they are suffering the consequences, so are the Ukrainian citizens, who are a far easier target for the war criminals.
The mafiosi are downgrading their objectives according to the beating that they are getting. They will end up running back to mafia land with their tails between their legs … those who remain alive or uninjured to do so.
No concessions of land. Period. Relieve Mariupol and start pushing the Rooskis back into Crimea, but surround and destroy whenever possible. Once the main part of Ukraine is clear, go after the occupied Donbas and Crimea. Destroy the Kerch Strait bridge and so trap the troops who can’t get on ships and leave. Let drones destroy the ships in port.
Yeah right! Ukraine will surely push back the invaders who may get away with Donbas and Crimea, but not move any further. RuSSia so far spared the West except for some missiles in Lviv. Odesa is intact, despite warships in range. So, Ukraine can prevent a full occupation, but is still not superior, despite ruSSian casualties.
Then why are the Russians running away? I doubt Ukrainians would support giving putin anything, especially when Ukraine is getting their territory back, possibly ALL of it.
We will see, bro. A war is a,war until it’s over. But i love Zalushny’s units for pushing the invaders back into Donbas and Crimea. Now Kherson must be reconquered to destroy the land-bridge to Crimea and shield holy Odesa from the invaders!
You’re right, it has to happen and heads need to roll in Mariupol, that blue eyed Nazi needs to receive justice. That’s the skull we should drink from.