U.S. urges Ukraine to defer major offensive in Russian-occupied territory
Ukraine should delay a major offensive into Russian-occupied territory until it receives new weapons from its allies, US President Joe Biden's administration officials warned. International experts say Russia is preparing a major offensive ahead of the Ukrainians receiving tanks promised by NATO countries.
Meanwhile, delays in supplying Ukraine with modern weapons systems and tanks have limited Ukraine's ability to launch a major counteroffensive in Russian-occupied territory, say representatives of the American Institute for the Study of War. According to them, Kiev must wait until Western tanks arrive in sufficient numbers to advance and retake territory occupied by the Russian military.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the need to provide Ukraine with heavy and advanced weapons as quickly as possible so that Kiev can not only survive but also take back its territory.
Foreign military experts and officials say the Russians plan a major offensive before the Ukrainians receive the tanks promised by NATO countries.
Bloomberg reported late last week, citing Kremlin insiders, that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing another offensive on Ukraine that could begin in February or March 2023. US experts believe the planned Russian assault is likely to take place in the Lugansk or Donetsk region.
The US has pledged to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which Kiev will not receive until late 2023 or early 2024, reports the BBC.
Such a delay would be justified by the fact that the tanks will not be taken out of US military stocks, but will be purchased specifically for deliveries to Ukraine, The Washington Post reports.
