Need support while crying. The past few months have been very difficult for Ukraine. Although many hopes were placed on last year’s counterattack, it did not produce the desired results. America’s failure to agree on a new aid package properly cut through the fighting spirit.
Ukraine’s armaments are depleting every day, and the Kremlin continues to intensify missile attacks on the country’s industrial and energy infrastructure.
As the situation in Ukraine became increasingly gloomy, the Kremlin was already preparing to declare a propaganda victory. While most Russians would like the war to end, President Vladimir Putin may be trying to convince them that Western will is waning. Russia’s weapons factories are working at full capacity, and Donald Trump may return to the White House after the election early next year. Russian victory in every sense began to seem within reach.
Let’s not forget that since he started the war in Ukraine in February 2022, V. Putin’s goals have changed. He initially assured that the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be overthrown in just a few days, and the entire territory known as Ukraine would return to Russia’s arms.
Russian soldiers were to march to Kyiv, where they were to be welcomed as liberators.
Ukraine’s indomitable resolve was not the only factor the Kremlin underestimated. This was not foreseen by Moscow and the broad coalition of Western countries, which started supporting Ukraine financially and militarily.
It was a strategic error with little historical precedent. The Russian offensive soon stopped, and the forces had to withdraw from strategically important areas, such as the vicinity of Kyiv. In the following months, the Ukrainians also chased them from the regions of Kherson and Kharkiv.
Ukraine’s unwavering determination was not the only factor the Kremlin underestimated. This was not foreseen by Moscow and the broad coalition of Western countries, which started supporting Ukraine financially and militarily. In 2023, Russian forces had already switched to a defensive war, and there was growing hope that the Ukrainians, armed with Western equipment, would take over and get rid of the occupiers.
Republicans in Congress, joining forces with Democrats, finally approved the support for Ukraine that Kyiv had been waiting for. Although it will take time for the replenishment of ammunition and military equipment to reach the front lines, where the Russians are happy that, even if it is very small progress, the political and psychological effect was felt immediately.
When this did not happen, the so-called war of attrition began. As Western enthusiasm waned, Putin began to gain more confidence, concluding that time was on his side. Although he is undoubtedly preparing for a new offensive, I suspect that he is more hoping for D. Trump to come to his aid than relying on his own forces.
Only the situation began to change again. After opposing Trump’s isolationist supporters and Putin’s supporters within the party, congressional Republicans joined forces with Democrats to finally approve the support for Ukraine that Kyiv had been waiting for.
Although it will take time for the replenishment of ammunition and military equipment to reach the front lines, where the Russians are happy that, even if it is very small progress, the political and psychological effect was felt immediately. The probability that Ukraine will hold its own and resist new Russian attempts to break it has increased dramatically.
Suddenly, it was no longer clear whether time was really on V. Putin’s side. If this war has taught us anything, it is the understanding that defense is easier than attack. In the medium to long term, the production of artillery shells in Europe and the United States will not only not decline, but may even overtake Russia, which already has to rely on North Korean support.
Suddenly, it was no longer clear whether time was really on V. Putin’s side. If this war has taught us anything, it is the understanding that defense is easier than attack. In the medium to long term, the production of artillery shells in Europe and the United States will not only not decline, but may even overtake Russia, which already has to rely on North Korean support.
Not only that, but Ukraine’s continued development of long-range offensive technology is also starting to pay off, and a new wave of Ukrainian mobilization will add to front-line forces and supplies. In short, V. Putin’s hope of celebrating victory this year is fading. His war effort will begin to weaken.
Only one expectation will remain. The Kremlin will continue to desperately wait for its savior from Mar-a-Lago, whom one Republican called an “orange Christ.” Whether D. Trump’s return to the Oval Office will really help V. Putin get out of the trap he has set for himself is another story. For now, the Russian president is confidently approaching another failure in Ukraine.
