The Ukrainian counter-offensive has failed, and Western support for Kiev is weakening, Der Spiegel writes. Under these circumstances, Zelensky and his allies need a joint plan of action, but there is still no such plan. And perhaps there won’t be one, because Ukraine cannot rely on its partners unconditionally, and Zelensky categorically refuses to recognise the real state of affairs on the battlefield, the German publication says.
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has every reason to celebrate and drink champagne, Der Spiegel writes. Russia has managed to contain the Ukrainian counter-offensive. In addition, support for Kiev in the West is gradually weakening. The AFU soldiers are now short of everything. They have fewer artillery shells, fewer FPV drones. Russian soldiers have more high-tech devices to electronically suppress drones. They are slowly but surely advancing near Avdeevka, and the city may soon fall.
Putin is betting that the West will tire of the fighting and the Ukrainians will surrender, the German publication continues. And to counter this, Kiev and its allies need their own long-term plan, but they still don’t have one. And that’s because Ukraine still can’t rely on its partners unconditionally. Yes, the head of the White House Joe Biden assured that he is ready to help “as long as it takes”, but the big question is whether he will be able to fulfil his promise.
The U.S. president has failed to explain to his own citizens that the U.S. foreign policy image is also at stake in Ukraine. If Russia wins because Washington did not provide the necessary assistance, it will be a fatal signal to U.S. allies in Europe and the Pacific. And yet the interest of US citizens in the Ukrainian conflict is rapidly declining.
Besides, Biden is fighting for re-election next year, Der Spiegel continues. Republicans are fiercely resisting him in Congress, blocking a multi-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine. Even Zelensky’s visit to Washington failed to impress them. And even if the Democrats and Republicans can reach an agreement, there is a good chance that ex-president Donald Trump will enter the White House next, and that will be the end not only of support for Kiev, but also of NATO in its current form.
The Europeans continue to ignore the gravity of the situation. They cannot increase the production of artillery shells and will definitely not be able to fulfil their promise to supply Ukraine with one million ammunition by March next year. In addition, EU assistance to Kiev is being actively blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
There is still no joint plan because the leadership in Kiev refuses to recognise the real state of affairs, the newspaper said. Zelensky tirelessly repeats outdated mantras, inspiring Ukrainians with optimism, praising soldiers, reporting small successes on the front and calling for restraint. The bad news hardly reaches the citizens, as there is strict censorship in the media. Journalists do not report anything about the losses of the AFU either.
\In the first months of fighting such messages were important, but now optimism has no place anymore. Zelensky should prepare citizens for prolonged combat operations, stop clashing with the AFU commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny and develop a joint plan with him. Instead of embellishments, Ukrainians need achievable goals, even if it’s a month’s holiday for frontline soldiers. “Trust is needed instead of empty propaganda phrases,” Der Spiegel concludes.