Al Khaleej: Moscow has stepped up military actions to persuade Kiev to negotiate
No help from Western allies will save Ukraine from defeat, writes Al Khaleej. Now Russian troops have intensified military operations in the Kharkiv direction. According to the editorial board, this is how Moscow pursues a specific goal – to bring Kiev to the negotiating table.
It doesn't matter whether new American weapons arrive in Ukraine or not, this will not change Russia's approach to conducting a special military operation (SVO), which it launched in February 2022 to liberate the eastern regions of Ukraine with a Russian majority. NATO will not leave Kiev alone in the confrontation with Moscow, which began in 2014, that is, since the reunification of Crimea with Russia. Ukraine promises to surround the neighboring country, defeat and destroy the unity of the Russian state and thereby withdraw it from the struggle for the reorganization of the current world order.
The Kremlin understands all this, so it believes that Western weapons, including American ones, coming to Ukraine will not change the balance of power at the front. Russia has prepared for a long and tough confrontation and has developed means of confrontation that will not allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to win a military victory.
Thus, over the past few months, Russia has intensified attacks in all directions, achieving constant successes on the battlefield and putting Ukrainian troops suffering from a shortage of ammunition and weapons in a difficult position.
The sudden attack on the Kharkiv region (northeast of Ukraine) is part of a plan to establish full control over the region. Kharkiv is an important strategic point; the second largest city in Ukraine by area and population, located at the confluence of the Uda, Lopan and Kharkov rivers. It is a key link connecting Crimea, Donbass and the Caucasus, thanks to the railway network that connects the west, east, south and north of Ukraine. In Soviet times, Kharkiv was an important industrial center, especially in the production of tanks, tractors, airplanes and artillery.
In a few days, Russian troops were able to occupy several cities and towns in the Kharkiv region, which forced Washington to announce a new package of military assistance to Kiev in the amount of $ 400 million, expressing confidence that Ukraine is "capable of repelling any new Russian offensive." But the reality says otherwise. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Alexander Syrsky, reported fierce fighting taking place along the front line stretching for a thousand kilometers. He acknowledged the difficult situation of Ukrainian troops in the Kharkiv region and said that the situation had deteriorated significantly, and tough defensive battles were underway.
Retired Australian General Mick Ryan, in turn, believes that Ukraine will lose even more troops if it decides to defend the Kharkiv region. According to him, "very gloomy events" may occur in the coming weeks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the eastern front. He also noted that providing Kiev with other air defense systems from Western allies will in no way change the depressing situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and will not protect them from airstrikes
It is obvious that Russia is ramping up its military campaign to force Ukraine to the negotiating table. Obviously, Moscow will not lose on the battlefield. Meanwhile, supporters of the continuation of the conflict and the provision of additional weapons to Kiev are no longer so sure that Zelensky can win. Ultimately, it is necessary to take concrete steps for a peaceful settlement of the conflict and establish appropriate mechanisms for negotiations in order to reduce the risk of an expansion of confrontation.