NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes it is too early to draw conclusions about whether the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be a turning point in the war.
The whole world is watching the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Western states estimate that since the beginning of the counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces have advanced about seven kilometers deep into occupied Russian territories and liberated at least four villages. How else is the Ukrainian counteroffensive assessed in the West?
High price
Western officials are urging not to wait for Russia’s defense to immediately collapse under the blow of Ukrainian forces, the BBC reports, citing unnamed Western officials. Instead, it is worth preparing for many months of grueling war, the cost of which will be high, the publication emphasizes.
Officials noted the expected losses of Ukrainian armored vehicles in the mines. According to them, most of the vehicles were not completely destroyed, and their crews barely survived.
At the same time, if such an operation is carried out by NATO forces, say the interlocutors of the BBC, one can also expect huge losses.
“From the beginning it is clear that it is full of danger. There is nothing unexpected in what is happening. It is a difficult task, and it will not be easy for the Ukrainians to finish it. But at the same time, we look at how they move forward even where they suffer losses, and then continue to progress. So overall things are going in the right direction,” a Western official told the BBC.
Don’t underestimate how hard it all is.
In any case, it is too early to draw any conclusions about the overall success of the Ukrainian offensive, said a Western official. He said it could take about three months for such assessments to come out.
According to the official, the offensive will continue to be accompanied by slow, but progressive.
Negotiations are far away
The BBC interlocutor rejected suggestions that the Ukrainian counter-offensive would be successful enough to force Russia to agree to peace talks within months.
“I think we are still very far from the moment when Ukraine is ready to start negotiations,” said a Western official. “For now, this counter-offensive is just beginning. is necessary.”
It is too early to draw conclusions
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes it is too early to draw conclusions about whether the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be a turning point in the war.
“It’s still the early days (of the counteroffensive) and we don’t know if this will be a turning point in the war,” Stoltenberg said.
But he added that Ukrainian troops are advancing and liberating more occupied territory. According to Stoltenberg, Ukraine’s progress on the battlefield will strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position.
“The more goals Ukraine achieves, the more President Putin will understand that he cannot win and must negotiate for a just peace,” added the secretary.
Ukraine’s development shows that NATO support makes a real difference on the battlefield, he said. Losses are inevitable and the task of Ukraine’s allies is to ensure the supply of weapons and equipment to it so that it can continue the offensive, Stoltenberg said.
“Of course, there will be losses, including modern NATO equipment. No one expects there to be zero losses. This is the truth: very fierce battles are going on there,” the Secretary stated.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.