Yuri Kobzar09:18, 07/22/234 min.4250
The Americans admit that they are not confident in the ability to supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with everything necessary for the second counteroffensive.
Western politicians are unhappy with the slow pace of the Ukrainian counter-offensive and are visibly nervous about it.
The BBC writes about this following the results of the International Security Forum, which took place in the American city of Aspen.Arriving in Aspen after a three-week stay in Ukraine, I found myself slightly nervous, not only because of the pace of Ukraine’s current counter-offensive, but also because of America’s long-term commitment.
He noted that Ukraine had been conducting a counteroffensive for a month now, and it was clear that it had turned out to be, as one of the speakers put it, “an ordeal”, when only a few meters of land were liberated every day.
Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at this forum via video link “to express gratitude and ask for additional help.” He noted that this is a critical period of the war, in which much “is hanging by a thread.”At the same time, the first question to Zelensky was about why things are going slower than expected. He patiently explained that the start of the counter-offensive had been delayed due to a lack of weapons, ammunition and training, and that this had given Russia the opportunity to plant more mines and improve its defenses. At the same time, the Ukrainian leader was forced to clarify separately that the moment was approaching when the counteroffensive “gained momentum.”Already after Zelensky’s speech in Aspen, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed doubt in a public statement that F-16 fighters could play a significant role in the war. Other Americans who have been directly involved in the supply of weapons also say privately that Ukraine has what it takes to counteroffensive, and it may not be easy to rearm them again in the same volume in the future. This is what makes the current counter-offensive key.”Ukraine is still trying to find a weak spot in Russia’s defenses to then use forces it has held in reserve in hopes of making a significant breakthrough. If that works, then Ukraine could be in a strong position. But if they can’t break through, then talk of a stalemate could be more specific and lead to difficult negotiations,” writes the BBC.
The author of the publication notes that “there are hints of cracks” in Western support for Ukraine. Some members of the US Congress spoke openly in Aspen that their constituents were unable to locate Ukraine on a map, calling into question the extent of the assistance being provided.
There are especially many opponents of aid to Ukraine among the Republican audience in the United States.
European partners are clearly concerned about this. For example, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said in Aspen that the West should not allow Russian propaganda to be “tempted” by talk of a stalemate at the front in Ukraine.
Counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – latest news
Yesterday, President Zelensky explained at a forum in Aspen why the UAF counteroffensive is slower than previously expected. According to him, the reason is that the operation itself began later than originally expected.“
We had plans to start it in the spring, but we didn’t start because we didn’t have enough ammunition and weapons, we didn’t have enough properly trained brigades. Since we started a little late, this gave Russia time to mine all our land and build several lines of defense,” he said.
The day before, CIA director William Burns expressed the opinion that the Ukrainian counter-offensive still has every chance of ending with great success. According to him, the Russian army is experiencing a number of critical problems, which so far manage to hide behind a fortified defense.
(C)UNIAN 2023
“Western politicians are unhappy with the slow pace of the Ukrainian counter-offensive and are visibly nervous about it.”
Perhaps if Western politicians hadn’t been walking in treacle every time Ukraine wanted the right hardware, there would be nothing to worry about.
Maybe give Ukraine permission to attack mafia land itself. Maybe give Ukraine what it needs now. Maybe finding your own courage would open new venues to your limited little world.
This is all so ludicrous, it makes me want to vomit.
Ukraine virtually has no air force. I’m not sure F-16’s would even help them. They would need stealth bombers to destroy the enemy’s military infrastructure in a very short time before ground troops could advance in larger numbers. Also demining is very important. Ukraine is like Germany’s WWI army fighting Hitler’s WWII army. This sucks. Should RuSSia ever become a civilized democratic country i would not be surprised if Ukraine would turn east and away from Nato. And Nato can only blame their shitty support and cowardice for such a development then.
I don’t see Ukrainians turning east. Three hundred years of oppression isn’t going to be wiped because Russia becomes nice. Gonna take allot more then that.
It will take centuries for russia to become nice. Hatred of Ukraine is in their genes, and even schoolchildren in russia are being taught to hate Ukraine.
Indeed, orcs are continuing to plant the seeds of hate and moral depravity in their youth. It will take generations for any kind of reform, if it’s even possible.
It is maddening the slow pace at which things have been rolled out or agreed to. Which gave the rashists time to fortify and dig in. And STILL required tools are not being made available. Yet they have the audacity to complain that this are going slow. Really pisses me off. Ukraine is fighting smart with what they have and are making leaps and bounds in domestically producing what they need. However this is also taking time to perfect and mass produce. West may not like the pace but much could have been done to accelerate it and end this #&∆√ war sooner. AFU cares about every precious life of their soldiers, and are doing all they can to preserve them while sending the rashists to hell.
Ukraine should remind them, a seat at the NATO table and this is all over.
The opening moves of the buildup to the counter-offensive is to engage, get information on position and strength, and get Russia to commit its reserves. Russia did commit reserves along the line, and threw some into counter-attacks in many places. A story said Russia also committed another 120,000 troops, and if that is the case, then Ukraine has to undergo another period of attrition of concentrations of personnel and equipment. At different places along the line, where Russia has not sufficiently reinforced, Ukraine will push. Russia will move more troops to those places, and after attrition, Ukraine will continue to push. So, the pace should not be considered slow; it is deliberate and appropriate. Without air superiority there was not really going to be a blitz, much as we would all have liked to see Ukraine in Mariupole in a week.
I see Ukraine taking treelines outside of towns, then attacking the town from two directions, and the Russian’s falling back, after taking heavy losses. Remember Ukraine had steady losses from being shelled in defensive trenches, as bad as they are taking in advance. This is indicated good progress actually for Ukraine. You knew it would not be that easy.