Putin’s plan to win in Ukraine by making the West tired of war is starting to come to fruition, Business Insider reports.
Analysts have long concluded that this is a crucial part of Putin’s plan: fight so long that the West gets tired of helping Ukraine. The US has ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the Pentagon has said it still has billions to help Kiev, but will run out at some point.
The U.S. is not the only country showing fatigue with Ukraine. In Slovakia, a party opposed to sending funds to Kiev came to victory. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany party, also opposed to supporting Ukraine, is gaining popularity. Even if European aid continues, Ukraine’s allies will find it difficult to make up the shortfall due to the lack of U.S. support.
George Beeb, former director of the CIA’s analysis division, said Putin was banking on Ukraine’s lack of support and resources to win a war of attrition with Russia.
“There are more and more signs that he is right. Ukraine is not meeting its conscription targets, its economy is sagging under the weight of the war. There is waning enthusiasm in the U.S. and Europe for maintaining a high level of aid to Ukraine,” Beeb said.