'War has reached a stalemate': Zaluzhnyi's interview prompts partners to reconsider military aid to Ukraine - Politico

A recent interview with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, has significantly affected the US plans to support Kyiv in its fight against Russian aggression. The military commander's frankness shocked the US Congress and prompted Republicans to reconsider the issue of supplying a large number of weapons.

This is stated in an article by Politiko, which analyzed Zaluzhnyi's statements to The Economist that "the war has reached a dead end" and the reaction to them in the United States. In particular, it is noted that representatives of the Republican Party called the statements of the chief of staff a reason to reconsider American support for Kyiv, which "is provided as long as necessary." This approach could further complicate Ukraine's already difficult path against Russia.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley, who is skeptical about increasing aid to Kyiv, said that Zaluzhny's outspokenness "blew a big hole in the US administration's policy toward Ukraine." He expressed his belief that the United States should continue to support Ukraine financially and in all other ways to avoid a deadlock.

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who is waiting for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that Zaluzhny's assessment "coincides with what we have been told." He noted that there had been hopes for greater Ukrainian progress, but that Ukraine had advanced only 10 miles (more than 16 km) since the start of the counteroffensive in the summer.

Media reports suggest that the Senate is likely to approve an increase in aid to Ukraine, which is part of President Joe Biden's $106 billion request. This package also includes support for Israel, Taiwan, and strengthening the security of the southern border with Mexico.

The publication concluded that Zaluzhnyi's statement seems to be aimed at influencing the debate in the US Congress. The commander-in-chief, as well as President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, have emphasized the need for more modern fighters, drones, longer-range missiles, and artillery to break through Russian defenses .

At the same time, as the article noted, Zaluzhnyi's comments did not weaken the support of Ukraine's most ardent supporters in Congress .

"The United States must continue to support Ukraine because it is vital to our national security, even if there is no giant breakthrough," said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who has met with Zelenskyy on several occasions.

As a reminder, Zaluzhnyi said in The Economist that the war in Ukraine is becoming a positional war, and this development is beneficial for Russia. In order to defeat the enemy, our country needs not only weapons, missiles and shells provided by our partners, but also military technologies. First of all, we are talking about aviation, drones, and electronic warfare.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- The Kremlin has reacted to Zaluzhnyi's interview, in which the chief of staff said that the situation on the battlefield had reached a deadlock. The press secretary of the Russian dictator Dmitry Peskov promised the Russians that "all the goals of the special operation will be achieved."

- The White House responded to Zaluzhnyi's article on positional warfare in Ukraine. They stated that it proves the need to support our country in countering Russian aggression.

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