Zelensky Pours Cold Water On Ukraine Counteroffensive Hopes

Authored by Kyle Anzalone via The Libertarian Institute,

Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive has been underway for over two weeks, and Kiev has little to show for the loss of life and military equipment expended the in the operations. On Monday, a Ukrainian military official attempted to lower expectations for the counteroffensive. In Washington, members of Congress say future support Kiev depends on regaining territory.

In an interview with the Czech Present Time TV station Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov downplayed how much territory Kiev will retake in the counteroffensive. “The Russians had the opportunity to prepare. There is an incredible density of minefields,” he said. “Our officers, our commanders are maneuvering, look for opportunities, move carefully. I suggest not pushing them, not pushing them, they are doing their job. And they will do it.”

While Reznikov argued Kiev’s attempt to preserve its soldiers’ lives is slowing the operations, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley, believes Ukraine will sustain massive losses during the counteroffensive. “This is a very difficult fight. It’s a very violent fight, and it will likely take considerable time and at high cost,” he said.

Reznikov went on to tell the outlet, which Radio Free Europe owns, not to compare the current operations to the counteroffensive in the Autumn that saw Kiev retake swaths of territory. “The Kharkiv operation went very quickly, successfully, unexpectedly for the enemy, for the world community, and for many Ukrainians as well.” He continued, “Therefore, it is now impossible to expect that everything will happen as quickly as it happened with Kharkiv.”

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maliar, acknowledged there was extensive fighting along the frontlines and Russian forces were on the offensive in some areas. “In the south, battles are currently taking place in the directions where Ukrainian soldiers are advancing, and the enemy is on the defensive,” she posted on Telegram. “At the same time, we have directions where, on the contrary, the enemy is advancing, and we are on the defensive. For example, Kupiansk and Lyman.”

Washington has been helping Kiev plan the counteroffensive since the Winter. The US and other NATO countries pour weapons into Ukraine for the operations. So far, Ukraine has failed to retake territory. 

In May, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, argued that future support for Keiv depends on being able to recapture territory. “I think there’s going to be a lot riding on the line with this counteroffensive,” he said. “If Ukraine is successful in the eyes of the American people and the world, I think it will be a game-changer for continued support. If they are not, that will also have an impact, in a negative way, though.”

1) Counteroffensive
Ukraine war: Zelensky admits slow progress but says offensive is not a movie https://t.co/R9eu7586Wd
◾️Putin on Ukraine’s counter-offensive: We are observing a lull, the enemy is suffering serious losses, foreign equipment is “burning up in flames.”🔥 pic.twitter.com/3QDmtqCdUX

— Joni Job (@jj_talking) June 21, 2023

Ukraine is entirely dependent on the US and its allies to arm and train its military. If Western support ends, Kiev will likely have to make an agreement with Moscow to end the war. However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Washington is committed to arming Ukraine even if the current counteroffensive fails.