CIA Chief heads to Kiev for urgent talks with Zelensky

November 15th marks a crucial moment for the Ukrainian conflict. CIA Director William Burns is scheduled to arrive in Kiev for pressing, undisclosed talks with Zelensky. This prompts the question: Why the urgency in Burns’ visit to Ukraine, Asia Times reported.

The reason behind this is the turmoil within Ukraine itself. The destabilization of the Zelensky administration isn’t surprising, considering the nation’s sustained high casualties, casting doubts on its survival. Ukraine faces the imperative of striking a deal with Russia or confronting an internal uprising. Zelensky is preparing to potentially arrest and purge Ukrainian General Valerii Zaluzhny, possibly initiating by dismissing three generals linked to Zaluzhny. (Zaluzhny’s chief assistant has reportedly died in what’s termed an accident.)

These three figures are Sergei Naev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces; Alexander Tarnavsky, Commander of the Operational-Strategic Group “Tavria”; and Tatyana Ostashchenko, Commander of the Medical Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukraine has gone through three iterations of its army, and its current force comprises older individuals, some women, and inexperienced boys. They’re being deployed as makeshift reinforcements in efforts to hold off Russian forces. Russia itself seems to lack a sense of urgency.

The Russian approach involves depleting Ukraine’s military capabilities and instigating a political crisis in Kiev. Russia’s progress has outpaced expectations, surprising both Moscow and Washington. Within Kiev, an internal conflict has erupted between Zelensky and his regime, on one side, and the leadership of the Ukrainian army, on the other.