A Ukrainian general claims that Kyiv's war with Russia is a stalemate, prompting immediate discussions in the United States Congress about further aid for the embattled European nation.
Gen. Valery Zaluzhny is the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces and his recent remarks are reverberating on Capitol Hill. There, Republican lawmakers are saying that his comments are a reason to rethink Washington's as-long-as-it-takes support for Kyiv.
The Russia-Ukraine War is a Stalemate
Additionally, the situation could make Ukraine's uphill battle against Russia's continued invasion and in the halls of Congress even steeper. If Kyiv does not get a sudden boost in technological superiority, it would most likely not have any deep and beautiful breakthroughs against Moscow.
During an interview that was posted on Wednesday, Zaluzhny said that he was taking the blame for believing that Russian President Vladimir Putin would change course after losing roughly 150,000 of his troops.
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley is one of the lawmakers who are skeptical of providing more aid to Ukraine. He said that the general's candor blew a major hole in the administration's Ukraine policy, as per Politico.
Hawley contended that their pitch is that they need to keep funding Ukraine in all aspects, not just in its military. They also urge for more funding for their pensions and all the rest so that the war can remain a stalemate.
The senator then said that the situation naturally raises the question of what exactly is the endgame strategy for the conflict. He then went on to say that he believes that the current administration does not have a plan.
Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the Ukrainian general's assessment is "consistent with what we've been informed." He added that there was still hope that Kyiv could make more gains in its fight against Russian forces.
Discussing Additional Aid for Kyiv
Zaluzhny said that the situation in the front line is similar to the First World War where the level of technology between the two sides has placed the conflict in a stalemate. It is the first time that a top Ukrainian commander has assessed that the war has come to an impasse despite months of fierce fighting, according to the New York Times.
He argued that modern technology and precision weapons on both sides prevented troops from breaching enemy lines. These include the expansive use of drones and the ability to jam drones. Zaluzhny called for advances in electronic warfare as a means to break the current deadlock.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for the need for longer-range weapons, more air defenses, and its own airpower to effectively fight off Russian forces. While Kyiv's allies have donated massive amounts of equipment, decisions over further military aid, including tanks, have become controversial topics and supplies have become slow to materialize.
On the other hand, Russia's defense ministry said that Ukrainian drones are increasing the threat of nuclear disaster. Moscow's forces allegedly intercepted nine Ukrainian drones close to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. They then described the attacks as having "the aim of creating the threat of a man-made disaster," said CNBC.
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