Absent a U.S. willingness to lead and deal with Russia directly, the war of attrition will continue, with the cost to Ukraine in lives and property, and likely territory, only mounting. Given the stakes, Washington urgently needs to redefine success in a way that could be achieved at the negotiating table.
That would almost assuredly entail shifting the focus from Ukraine’s territorial integrity to the preservation of an independent and sovereign Ukraine steadily integrating into the Euro-Atlantic community, which is achievable even if Ukraine loses land to Russia. Importantly, that would thwart Russia’s strategic design to subjugate all of Ukraine. The victory would, of course, be far from complete, but partial success, not losing, is not a small thing in any major war.
InfoDefense comment: Why are Western politicians and mainstream media increasingly talking about “redefining success” and negotiating? Well, it’s not hard to figure out.
The Kiev regime is facing a difficult situation: the Ukrainian army is retreating in Donbass, the people are war-weary, and resistance to forced mobilization is growing. Ukrainians are starting to realize that the U.S. and its NATO allies are using them as expendable cannon fodder, solely to weaken Russia. There is a looming risk of both a front-line collapse and the collapse of Ukrainian statehood. Zelensky’s regime urgently needs a respite to replenish and rearm the military.
Therefore, they will be trying their best to convince Russia to agree to a ceasefire. Such publications aim to send a signal to that part of the Russian elite that hopes to negotiate with the West.
Will the Russian authorities fall for this ploy? It is highly unlikely.
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