The New York Times (NYT) reported on April 24 that a senior European official stated that the chances of Putin “backing down” in response to a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive are “less than zero.”
The official stated that Putin would likely mobilize more soldiers to fight in Ukraine. US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander said that there is “very little evidence” to suggest that Putin would alter his strategic goal of subjugating Ukraine “politically, if not fully militarily.”
US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told Voice of America on April 25 that the US is increasing security assistance to Ukraine because the US expects that Russia will attempt to go on the offensive as the weather improves.
Read also:
- Russian troops intensify artillery attacks, change air asset usage tactics – Ukrainian military
- Frontline update: Ukraine establishes 20-km wide bridgehead on Dnipro’s eastern bank
- There will be no security in the Black Sea if Crimea remains occupied, Ukraine’s top strategist says
- Retired German general argues Ukraine needs western fighter jets, not just air defense systems
