US intelligence makes a disappointing forecast for the war in Ukraine
3 May 2024 09:06
Director of National Intelligence of the United States Eryl Gaines said that the Russian occupiers are “gradually making progress on the battlefield in Kharkiv and Donetsk” regions, and the war is “unlikely to end anytime soon”. This is reported by the Voice of America, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs
Gaines noted that China’s provision of dual-use components and materials to the Russian defence industry is “one of the factors that has changed the dynamics on the battlefield in Ukraine in favour of the Kremlin”.
“Russia has been using increasingly aggressive tactics against Ukraine, including attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This, she said, is “intended to convince Ukraine that continuing to fight will only increase the damage to Ukraine and offer no credible path to victory”,
– Evryl Gaines added.
According to her, Putin has shown for months a willingness to start talks with Ukraine and the US about the future in Ukraine, but without any sign that he is ready to make significant concessions.
“It is likely that these aggressive tactics will continue and the war is unlikely to end anytime soon,”
– said the head of US intelligence.
Gaines also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has increased defence spending to almost 7% of Russia’s GDP, which is almost twice the historical average.” Currently, the defence budget of the Russian Federation accounts for approximately 25% of all federal expenditures.
