President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is currently visiting Washington, where he is discussing Ukraine’s war strategy with US representatives.
The United States and representatives of the Ukrainian army are discussing Ukraine’s war strategy for next year this week, reports The New York Times.
According to US representatives, a war strategy has been recommended for Ukraine for next year, in which defensible positions are held and at the same time more weapons production capacity is built for a possible later counterattack.
Ukraine has emphasized the attack strategy again.
For example, the president to Volodymyr Zelensky adviser Myhailo Podolyak wrote in social media at the beginning of December, that Ukraine would move to defensive positions in some areas.
In other areas, for example on the shores of the Black Sea and in the Crimea region, Ukraine plans to continue its counterattack.
During the fall, Ukraine has repeatedly asked the West for long-range missiles that would be suitable for destroying the Kerch Strait bridge in Crimea.
Ukraine also wants to hold on to its symbolic victories, such as the sabotage of the Russian train network, American officials say, according to NYT.
The counterattack has not progressed as expected
Ukraine’s counter-offensive has lasted for months already, and it has not brought the desired result.
The Ukrainian army built its autumn counteroffensive on the example of the United States. Ukraine has, for example, used the tactic of prodding in its counterattack, as a result of which the front lines have moved around a few kilometers.
According to NYT, it was already known at the beginning of the counterattack in Ukraine that the American strategy could fail.
The US military has used its war strategy in, for example, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. In all countries, the operation largely failed.
Now the front lines are in danger of locking into place and the armed support of the West seems to be slowly fading away.
The West also seems to be suffering from war fatigue, which worries Ukraine.
Zelenskyi needs money, the US offers advice
The United States says it will increase military advice to Ukraine. In addition, the USA is sending three of its generals to Kiev.
By advising Ukraine on war strategy, the United States wants to express its support for Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression, writes The New York Times.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi discussed on Monday the president Joe Biden and with congressional representatives on military aid to Ukraine.
Zelenskyi hopes the US Congress will approve a $100 billion funding package that would be split between Ukraine, Israel and US border security.
The package got stuck in Congress already in November. Republicans have doubted the amount of aid to Ukraine and wanted to tighten border control.
Last week, Zelensky was scheduled to address US senators via remote connection in an encrypted meeting. However, the meeting was canceled at the last minute.
Unrealistic expectations
According to NYT, US officials say that the Ukrainian army has unrealistic expectations of what kind of help the US can provide to Ukraine.
Ukraine, for example, is asking the United States for millions of artillery rounds from “western stockpiles”.
According to US representatives, no such warehouses even exist.
However, the United States admits that Russia now has more troops, ammunition and missiles at its disposal than before. Russia has strengthened its strike capability on the battlefield and received drones from its ally Iran.
However, the United States does not promise funding, even though President Joe Biden has said that without additional funding, Ukraine may lose the war.
In total, the United States has given Ukraine military and economic support in two years more than 111 billion dollars.