“We are doing everything so that Ukraine has the maximum chance to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity” – Sullivan
“We’re always keeping a close eye on where Russia might next try to push forward, what operations it might consider.” This is how US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper commented on the recent statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kulebi, that Russia’s ability to launch a major offensive could be restored at the end of January or in February.
Kuleba on briefing On February 13, he said that, according to his estimations, “the Russian ability to launch a major offensive, which may be resumed sometime in late January-February, is what they are planning.”
IN interview The Economist, published on December 15, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhnyi said that he had no doubt that the Russians are trying to attack Kyiv again.
During a press conference on Friday, John Kirby, the National Security Council’s strategic communications coordinator at the White House, responded to a press request for comment on Zaluzhny’s interview. In particular, he noted that he respects the fears and assessments of Ukrainians regarding the future course of hostilities, but refused to talk about what is possible in the coming weeks.
The Russian military’s situation is bad now, Cooper added, but Russia has not ruled out trying to advance in the winter.
“When you’re dealing with Russia right now, you have to remember that their troops are in very bad shape. You’re dealing with a large number of troops who have been hastily mobilized, who are very poorly trained or very poorly equipped, and their morale is probably “. So, despite the fact that we will be very vigilant and try to support the Ukrainians in all their needs, we also realize that the Russians are in a difficult situation,” Cooper told VOA.
The Russians are trying to make territorial gains in the offensive against Ukraine, despite the number of casualties, and are also attacking Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, which is a “tactic of desperation,” Cooper said when asked by VOA about Russia’s future successes.
I think that the Ukrainians are enduring, they are increasing their endurance both with the help of supplies of electrical equipment and air defense equipment from the United States and allies
“I think it’s worth looking at two teams [росіян] brutal and devastating attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. It is obvious that the Russians resorted to such tactics out of desperation and out of complete disregard for human rights, civil rights and the opinion of the world public. They continue this tactic. I think we can predict that Russia will continue to try to intimidate the Ukrainian civilian population and the Ukrainian government into some sort of compliance. But this will not happen. I think that the Ukrainians are enduring, they are increasing their endurance both with the help of supplies of electrical equipment and air defenses from the United States and allies.
At the same time, another direction of Russia’s strategy ends up pushing its forces forward, trying to gain additional territorial gains. I think they continue to do that, but that’s where their weakness is – the strength of their military, the morale, the capabilities that they have, is really going to be an obstacle. But the way Russia conducts hostilities is very different from the way our allies or the Ukrainians create it. The Russians are really putting all their strength, their people into the meat grinder, regardless of the very high losses they are facing.”
Cooper believes that one should not expect winter to be a time of rest. “Winter will be a very dynamic time,” the official said. “Some people see winter as a time to rest and recuperate. But we don’t see any sign that the Ukrainians are going to slow down, and we certainly expect that the Russians may also try to advance.” “.
Regarding the provision of weapons to Ukraine, Kirby said that the US is in constant contact with Ukraine and is trying to provide the needs that Ukraine indicates.
“Most of the security assistance to Ukraine goes with our perversions,” he added. “That’s why we need to make sure that we continue to help them protect their national security as well as protect our national security.”
“They [українці] tell us about their needs. We try to help them meet these needs as best as possible. Also, if we can’t do that, we look elsewhere, in countries around the world that can help fill those needs,” added Kirby.
Voice of America journalist Carla Babb took part in the work on the state