The USA advises Ukraine to relinquish territories and solely focus on defense

Americans are suggesting that Ukraine pivot to a defensive position and fortify its positions along the front lines following the setback in their offensive, reports The New York Times.

According to American officials interviewed by the publication, Ukraine doesn’t necessarily need to reclaim the entire 20% of territory that was lost. The new strategy might focus on strengthening defense, achieving “symbolic victories” through strikes on Crimea and Russia, while boosting Ukraine’s military industry. These American officials believe that a combination of these actions could compel Moscow to come to the negotiating table by early 2025 (although the specific terms of such negotiations remain unspecified).

However, the Americans are advocating for a more “conservative” strategy that involves digging in and amassing strength, while Kiev has different intentions. “The Ukrainians want to go on the offensive, either on the ground or through long-range strikes, hoping to garner the attention of the entire world,” the article notes. Many in the US align with the Ukrainian plan, seeking to reconcile it with the strategy of “holding and building.”

Meetings between US and Ukrainian officials have been ongoing for several weeks to finalize a strategy. Military exercises are planned for January at a base in Wiesbaden, Germany, and American General Antonio Aguuto Jr. will be in Kyiv for extensive consultations. However, American concerns persist. Ukrainian “losses, as acknowledged by official sources, have been immense,” and without changes, “2024 could resemble 1916, the deadliest year of World War I, with significant casualties and minimal shifts in the front lines.