The US Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley, assessed that the Ukrainian counter-offensive against the Russian army had “not failed”, while recognizing that the road to a resolution of the conflict would still be long, in an interview broadcast on Sunday September 17.
Ukraine launched a counter-offensive in June to retake territories occupied by Russia, after receiving Western weapons and training new battalions. “I know some observers say this offensive has failed. She did not fail,” the American general insisted on CNN. “This offensive, although slow, slower than expected, remained constant,” he said, affirming that the Ukrainians still had “a significant strike force.”
The general conceded, however, that it “will take a long time” to achieve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s goal “of kicking out all the Russians” from the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be received at the White House on Thursday for new discussions with President Joe Biden on supporting Kiev against the Russian invasion. This trip comes at a time when the American Congress is debating a new envelope of $24 billion in military aid for kyiv.
Volodymyr Zelensky should also go to the Capitol to meet the Republican and Democratic leadership.
