The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, will not be able to achieve full control over Donbas without enormous losses in manpower and a prolonged period of time. This was stated by US Senator from the Democratic Party Richard Blumenthal during a conversation with journalists in Kyiv.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Assessment of Russia’s Offensive Prospects in Donbas
According to Senator Blumenthal, to achieve what Putin demands from Ukraine in negotiations, Russian troops would need another ten years of combat and nearly four million casualties. The politician emphasized that there are no grounds to allow the Kremlin to obtain Ukrainian territories that could not be captured by force.
“There are no grounds to allow Vladimir Putin to gain territories that he could not capture by military means. At the current pace, to achieve through negotiations what he claims to want, he would need another ten years and nearly four million casualties,” said Richard Blumenthal in Kyiv on May 28.
Blumenthal stressed that Russia has no chance of winning this war if Ukraine receives all the necessary means for defense. He also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom, which, according to him, is a shared value for Europe and the US.
Position of the US Congress Intelligence Committee
Congressman Jim Himes, a member of the Intelligence Committee, also joined the discussion. He emphasized that Russia’s territorial demands during negotiations indicate its insincere attitude towards a peaceful resolution. Himes noted that the maximalist demands of the Kremlin regarding territories that could not be captured are false proposals.
The congressman highlighted that only pressure on Putin on the battlefield, including increased arms supplies to Ukraine and improved intelligence sharing, can force the Russian leadership to come to the negotiating table on fair terms.
He noted that the goal of the US is not to support war, but to achieve peace; however, only strength can be a true incentive for the Russian Federation to change its position.
During their visit to Ukraine, Congressmen Blumenthal and Himes met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who emphasized Ukraine’s critical need for anti-ballistic missiles, and also discussed security issues with Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.