 |
| Shutterstock |
Moscow aims to prove it can gain and hold ground after Kyiv failure, while defenders want to show Western allies they can prevail
Russia’s strategy for seizing territory in Ukraine’s Donbas region carries implications far beyond the battlefield.
Over the past month, Moscow’s troops have pushed to expand and consolidate areas they hold across easternmost Ukraine, aiming to entrap Ukrainian troops along the way. Russian forces, having scaled back earlier ambitions for a broad thrust, are advancing by unleashing intense artillery fire and air attacks in limited areas, aiming to throw back Ukrainian defenders. Moscow wants to demonstrate that its military might can grab and retain territory.
Kyiv’s forces have fought back, thwarting Russia’s advance and regaining ground in some areas.
The battle is a test for both sides. Russian success could validate for President Vladimir Putin a shift in tactics from the war’s early days, when his armies failed to take Kyiv, and embolden him to continue advancing west, back toward the capital.
Ukrainian success stymieing the Russians, in contrast, could convince some wary Western leaders that Kyiv has a chance of prevailing against bigger Russian forces and eventually give Ukraine a better bargaining position with Moscow.
Swaying skeptical European leaders may be more pressing than jockeying for negotiating position against Russia because no such talks appear imminent, while Ukraine is pushing for urgent deliveries of Western heavy weaponry. --->READ MORE HERE
 |
| REUTERS |
French President Emanuel Macron said Saturday that his country should not “humiliate” Russia during its war with Ukraine — prompting the Ukrainian foreign minister to retort that Macron “can only humiliate France.”
“We must not humiliate Russia so that the day when the fighting stops we can build an exit ramp through diplomatic means,” Macron said in an interview published Saturday with regional newspapers. “I am convinced that it is France’s role to be a mediating power.”
Macron also said, “I think, and I told [Putin], that he is making a historic and fundamental mistake for his people, for himself and for history.’
Ukrainian Foreign minister Dmitro Kuleba delivered a scathing response on Twitter, declaring that Ukraine and its allies should instead work to “put Russia in its place.”
Russia invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked attack beginning in February and has leveled cities and killed thousands of civilians as Ukraine has fought back with the support of NATO and the West. --->READ MORE HEREFollow links below to +++++relevant+++++ and related stories:
+++++Russia-Ukraine News LATEST UPDATES: (REUTERS) (AP) (NY POST) and (WSJ)+++++
+++++Britain to send M270 rocket launchers to Ukraine+++++
+++++Deadly secret: Electronic warfare shapes Russia-Ukraine war+++++
Two Russian generals dead in one day of Donbas fighting: report
Former NATO chief warns Black Sea will be next front in Ukraine war
Russia Says U.S. Mistreats Its Journalists, Threatens Retaliation
Ukraine's Sievierodonetsk split in half between Ukrainian and Russian forces, regional governor says
‘Grateful’ Zelensky visits front lines near Severodonetsk
Bodies of some Ukrainian fighters from Mariupol handed over to Kyiv: families
Ukraine to get anti-aircraft missiles and tanks from Spain, report says
To prevent global food crisis, Biden must OK naval escort of Ukrainian grain exports
Russia-Ukraine war: 10 events that shaped the first 100 days of battle
Feds aim to seize two planes from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich
Russian superyacht to leave Fiji during pricey legal dispute, court rules
EU blames Russia for food crisis, Russian UN envoy walks out
If you like what you see, please "Like" and/or Follow us on FACEBOOK here, GETTR here, and TWITTER here.
No comments:
Post a Comment