Putin prepared to prolong war for two years to control Donbas
The New York Times writes that Vladimir Putin believes in victory and is ready to continue fighting for Donbas (Photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS)
Vladimir Putin is prepared to continue the war against Ukraine for up to two more years to secure full control of the Donbas, The New York Times reported, citing military and Western intelligence sources on Feb. 18.
According to sources, Vladimir Putin believes the aggressor state of Russia is winning on the battlefield.
According to the report, he is convinced that even if it takes 18 months to two years to fully occupy the Donbas, each day of fighting and each night of strikes on Ukraine give him additional advantages.
The New York Times also reported that at the Munich Security Conference several participants in talks on ending the war said Russia has every reason to take part in negotiations, but few compelling reasons to sign an agreement.
On Feb. 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian people would reject a peace deal that предусматриває unilateral withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donbas and the transfer of Oblast to Russia.
On Feb. 12, he called proposals for Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk Oblast dangerous, saying Russia’s real ambitions extend beyond that area.
The Atlantic, citing sources, reported that the head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, and his team are seeking an option under which Russia would not seize territory in Donetsk Oblast.
Earlier, Zelenskyy repeatedly stressed that Ukraine’s position on territorial issues has not changed. Kyiv will not agree to hand over Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts to Russia.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, insists on the so-called Anchorage formula, which calls for the withdrawal of Ukraine’s Defense Forces from the Donbas and the freezing of current front lines in other eastern and southern oblasts of Ukraine.
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