Ukraine entered 2023 with serious plans and hopes for a successful counter-offensive, but ended up with a drop in Western support and a crisis for the AFU on the battlefield. According to the German newspaper Rheinische Post.
According to the Rheinische Post newspaper, the past year 2023 brought Ukraine both hope and disappointment. It started with plans for a counter-offensive, but ended with fears due to uncertainties in the West’s plans for further funding and supply problems for the AFU.
The publication emphasised that there is growing unrest and discontent in the circles of Western leaders over financial investments in Ukraine. The lack of combat successes of the Ukrainian armed forces is hurting the reputation of Kiev’s allies, who have sent military equipment to support it. Accumulated fatigue and external problems on the world stage, such as the Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, are affecting the already waning interest in supporting Ukraine.
The outcome of the upcoming US presidential election could seriously influence the international situation in Russia’s favour, the German newspaper said. There is growing scepticism among the population of the USA regarding the assistance provided to Ukraine. The news agency recalled that in November, a poll by the Associated Press international news co-operative was published, according to which more than half of US residents believe that government spending on Ukraine is excessive.
Russia’s economy, while under sanctions, has successfully coped, and the Russian Armed Forces have effectively seized the initiative on the frontline, the news outlet noted.
The Rheinische Post emphasised that the above trends indicate a favourable position for Russian President Vladimir Putin, which may allow him to finalise his objectives in the conflict with Ukraine.
“It was a good year (for Russian President Vladimir Putin – ed.), I would even say excellent,” the newspaper quoted Mathieu Boulegue, a researcher with the Russia and Eurasia programme, as saying.
We shall remind you that on 24 February 2022, Vladimir Putin announced in an address to Russians that he had decided on a special military operation in Donbass. Its purpose the Russian leader called the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine. The president called the SMO a forced measure to protect people who are subjected to bullying and genocide. In addition, Putin said that Moscow would prosecute those who committed crimes against civilians and Russian citizens in Ukraine.