President Zelensky’s plan to reclaim territory occupied by Russian troops may hit the buffers if western aid to Ukraine dries up. With winter setting in, a new Ukrainian counteroffensive wouldn’t be able to take place until the spring of 2024 anyway, but now concerns over supplies means the Mr Zelensky may be forced to postpone it to as far as 2025.
According to the Wall Street Journal, concerns over the supply of international aid and widening domestic political tensions is undermining the Ukrainian war effort.
The publication claims western diplomats and military strategists have said that Ukraine’s forces require time to recover and without additional support will need to suspend their counter striker until 2025.
On November 29, the Ukrainian war leader ordered the construction of a vast network of military fortifications to help forces to hold the front line, marking “a sharp shift in sentiment”, according to the WSJ.
Mr Zelensky, in a video address to the nation, recognised the challenge his forces face in trying to reclaim the occupied territories, but asked rhetorically: “Is there really an alternative? No.”
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister was reported by WSJ as saying that a pause in the fighting would enable Russia to regroup and then relaunch its attacks.
He said: “The only outcome would be Russia shaking off the losses and the troubles it faced in Ukraine and making another assault. We are setting our brigades for new counteroffensive and defensive operations.”
Amid increasing fears from Ukraine that the West is hesitating in its support for the war effort, Mr Zelensky attended the inauguration of Argentinian leader Javier Milei.
It was the Ukrainian leader’s first visit to South America, as he tries to rally support of developing states. Mr Milei ran on a pro-western ticket and has been critical of Russia and China.
Following the long-haired libertarian’s electoral triumph, Mr Zelensky called his Argentinian counterpart to congratulate him and thank him for backing his war effort. He heaped praise on the Argentine for his “clear support for Ukraine” which he described in social media posts as “well-noticed and appreciated by Ukrainians”.
