In response to delays in American and European assistance to Ukraine, the Biden administration is reportedly adjusting its approach to supporting Kyiv, Politico reported, citing its sources.
While public statements from the White House and the Pentagon deny any official policy changes, insiders reveal a shift from seeking a decisive victory over Russia to enhancing Ukraine’s position for potential future negotiations.
Unnamed officials from the Biden administration and a European diplomat based in Washington informed Politico that discussions are underway with Ukrainian authorities regarding the transition of their forces from a “failed counteroffensive” to more robust defensive positions in Eastern Ukraine.
The shift in strategy comes as both US and European aid to Ukraine faces serious threats, prompting a move toward bolstering Ukraine’s stance in potential talks to end the conflict. The reported negotiations could potentially involve ceding parts of Ukraine to Russia.
Efforts to improve Ukraine’s position include reinforcing air defense systems, constructing fortifications, and installing anti-tank barriers along its northern border with Belarus.
Additionally, the White House is concentrating on increasing the production of weapons within Ukraine. Officials suggest that these strategic moves aim to position Ukraine favorably for any future negotiations, as negotiations are perceived as the ultimate pathway to ending the war.
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While the United States desires Ukraine to enter negotiations from a position of strength, sources note that no specific negotiations are currently planned.
Meanwhile, the European diplomat in Washington said that the European Union is raising the threat of expediting Ukraine’s membership in NATO to enhance its negotiating position with Russia.
Politico did not mention that the EU and NATO do not have entirely the same membership countries, with the European nations of Norway and the UK being members of the latter but not the former.
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Comments (3)
I think the US is too fragmented to be of any use as an ally at the present time. Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a European problem and the US is retreating to the old Monroe Doctrine. A united Europe could deal with Putin if it had the will. If not, Putin will win in Ukraine in a war of attrition. It is time for Europe to make up its mind.
Of course, Politico relies on anonymous sources so reporters can say what they want to say. And what they've said from the beginning is that Ukraine won't last a week. They really got that one right. This White House source is said to have said that US funding of Ukraine's effort is nearing its end. Of course, that funding has been taken hostage by GOP issues with the border. They made progress in the week before leaving for Christmas and Blinken has been to Mexico to negotiate there. So when Congress comes back, talks on the supplemental will begin again in earnest. Support in Congress has been strong. So this source can't say aid is ending. And he probably didn't say it. Politico probably edited his comment. The EU has said it will vote an aid package in January, maybe by excluding Hungary from the vote. Again, people can't say aid is ending, at least not yet. And then there's the $350 billion in Russian bank reserves that can be confiscated and turned over to Ukraine.
Polls have proved to be more or less worthless since 2016, when they picked Clinton to win! I've quit listening to news about polls. With justification. All this blather is really just defeatism being pushed by politics and news algorithms. I'm waiting for events to tell us what's really going on.
as I suspected, no one can trust the Americans they will ensure Ukraine is divided and Putin wins.... sad to see such cowardice in the USA. condemning Ukrainians to years, decades of pain... if the USA is so quick to appease Russia, then give Alaska back they are looking for it...
weak and appalling... to sit back and watch the breakup of Ukriane and its future destruction...